Unowhatimeanharry justified Harry Fry's decision to go for Grade One glory when landing a hard-fought victory in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The eight-year-old was originally set to take his chance in the Pertemps Hurdle but four successive wins saw him rise so much in the handicap that Fry opted to go for this race.
It proved a wise decision as Unowhatimeanharry (11-1) scythed his way through the field under Noel Fehily to collar long-time leader Barters Hill after jumping the last.
Fagan came with a late rattle to claim second spot from Champers On Ice by a length and a quarter.
Barters Hill had to settle for fourth place after a game front-running effort over the three miles.
Ruby Walsh fell in the County Hurdle and was unseated here when Long Dog sadly broke down. Walsh was fine and helped his fellow riders by warning them of the stricken beast being tended to.
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle result:
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) March 18, 2016
1) Unowhatimeanharry 11-1
2) Fagan 33-1
3) Champers On Ice 20-1#rteracing
Fehily said: "He started off the season rated 123 and if Harry had told me he'd end the season running in the Albert Bartlett I'd have laughed at him.
"All he's done is improve all season. We started off aiming at the Pertemps, but when he won last time he went up to 151 and we thought that would be very difficult, so it was an afterthought to even run in this.
"I schooled him the other day and thought he felt better than ever and Harry got him spot on for today.
"I wanted to be handier, I wasn't really travelling early on but I saw I had Ruby Walsh one side and Richard Johnson the other so all the old lads were together.
"Harry Fry is a great trainer, I'm so lucky to be riding for a man like him."
