On The Fringe brilliantly completed the Cheltenham-Aintree-Punchestown treble for a second consecutive year when winning the Racing Post Champion Hunters Chase.
The prolific 11-year-old, trained by Enda Bolger, was sent off the 4-5 favourite to retain his crown in the Racing and duly delivered under Nina Carberry.
On The Fringe glided into the lead three fences from home and though Marito made up stacks of late ground, Carberry's mount was in the clear.
Two lengths separated the front two as Carberry saluted a jubilant Punchestown grandstand.
The jockey said: "He's some horse, he's just unbelievable.
"He's all heart and Enda had him in some form.
"He's a horse of a lifetime. He's the people's horse."
An "emotional" Bolger was quick to highlight the role of JT McNamara, the former jockey left paralysed by a fall at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival, in the On The Fringe success story.
McManara rode the horse seven times and twice won the Champion Hunters Chase.
Bolger said: "I'm a bit emotional as I always think of John Thomas (JT McNamara).
"He's just a brilliant horse to have around. He's a special horse for us. This is the one the pressure was on, but we knew he was bouncing and everyone worked hard to get him here.
"Him and Nina have a great rapport. She knows what to do and they trust each other. His jumping was faultless.
Avant Tout was produced perfectly by Paul Townend to defy joint-top weight in the EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase.
The €100,000 contest changed in complexion after the first fence when Barry Geraghty quickly pulled up the 7-2 favourite, Marlbrook, who appeared to go wrong.
There were plenty in with chances at the second-last, with long-time leader Mr Diablo, Pairofbrowneyes and Domesday Book all still boxing on.
However, Townend had barley moved a muscle tracking the leading group and it looked a matter of time when he pressed the button.
What complicated matters for the 11-2 chance was his jump at the second-last, after which he lurched out to his right, but Townend was able to straighten him up to jump the final fence in good style.
Mr Diablo stuck on gamely for second, two and three-quarter lengths behind the Willie Mullins-trained winner
Townend said: "The nicer ground suited him and, bar the second-last, the race went to plan."
Mullins added: "That was a good performance for a novice to carry top weight in a handicap.
"It possibly looked a Galway Plate performance, to me, and we might aim him at that now.
"There was so much crowding there and Paul said he nearly got wiped out three from home.
"After coming through that he shouldn't have any problem with the hustle and bustle of Galway.
"He won last summer and we'll keep him going. Every time I put them away it's hard to get them back for Galway.
"The one issue is that he's rated 145 so he'll go up 5lb or 7lb for that and I don't know the last horse to win a Galway Plate off a mark of 150.
"It will either be that or we will put him away for the Hennessy.
"He might have left Galway behind winning that, but I think there is another good race in him."
Shin A Vee, a 13-year-old veteran, landed back-to-back runnings of the KFM Hunters Chase .
Not seen since his success in the same contest 12 months previously, Denis Cullen's old-timer was primed to the minute.
Johnny Barry was never far from the pace and a spring-heeled leap at the final fence sealed a five-and-a-half-length win for the 2-1 favourite over Enniskillen.
Cullen said: "He won well last year but I thought he was better this year and really up for it. We knew he was in good form and pretty fit.
"He's 13 now and obviously it's a concern coming here as he's a year older and with a 5lb penalty but in fairness to him he came back in better nick.
"It was the same as last year. We had one day in mind and it worked last year.
"He's a horse that works well at home and you can get enough into him."
Rising star Jack Kennedy secured a second winner of the Punchestown Festival as Definite Ruby prevailed in a thrilling finish to the Hanlon Concrete EBF Glencarraig Lady Mares Handicap Chase.
Still able to claim 3lb, Kennedy is about to be crowned champion conditional and has made huge strides in the past 12 months.
He was aware to the fact Nina Carberry was trying to steal the race from the front on Emily Gray and did not let her get too far clear down the back straight.
Taking up the running at the second-last it appeared Definite Ruby (8-1) would coast to victory, but Padraig's Joy stayed on strongly and only went down by half a length.
Kennedy said: "I can't believe I'm going to be champion conditional, and I'd like to thank all the owners and trainers I've ridden for."
Elliott said: "She had a nice, light weight and Jack have her a great ride.
"She liked the bit better ground and she'll keep going."
