Djakadam proved too strong in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase to repeat his victory of last year.
Ruby Walsh's decision to partner Willie Mullins' dual Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up on his return to action in the Grade One, rather than head to Cork for the Hilly Way Chase ride on superstar Douvan, paid dividends with a determined success.
The 4-5 favourite tracked the front-running Sub Lieutenant until touching down over five out in a share of the lead, and little separated the pair over the next few fences.
Outlander was stalking them and emerged as the chief threat when Djakadam took it up, but the market leader's superior stamina came into play as he stretched a length and a quarter clear.
Mullins said: "I'm happy that he's learned to find a leg at last, when he made a mistake at the one going down the hill.
"We'll probably try to do what we did last year. I'm delighted that he could win that first time out, and he's making progress.
"I just wanted to get today out of the way first, and we'll see where we go from here."
RaceBets trimmed Djakadam to 9-1 from 10-1 for the Gold Cup, with Coral and Boylesports going 8-1 from 10-1 and 12-1 respectively.
Mullins enjoyed a four-timer today with Walsh landing a treble.
Turcagua made every post a winning one in the Buy Your 2017 Annual Membership Maiden Hurdle.
Walsh got the fractions spot-on on the even-money market leader because when he let out an inch of rein at the top of the straight, there was plenty of petrol in the tank and Turcagua came nine and a half lengths away from Champagne Classic.
Walsh's three-timer was completed by American Tom in the Alan Lillingston Memorial Beginners Chase.
The even-money favourite jumped to his left on occasion but seemed to enjoy himself in front and rallied well when pressed by Gangster at the last to register a length-and-a-half verdict.
Mullins capped his great day in the Old House, Kill (Pro/Am) Flat Race with the Patrick Mullins-ridden Come To Me, and was also on the mark at Cork through superstar Douvan and Listen Dear.
Sunni May made it two from two over timber in the Ladies Free Admission On New Years Eve Rated Novice Hurdle.
Jessie Harrington's 2-1 favourite was left in front a long way from home when Lion In His Heart ran out and despite jumping the last a bit deliberately, had established enough of an advantage for Robbie Power to drive him out for a five-and-a-half-length defeat of Kalopsia.
Dawerann (11-2) landed the Follow Us On Facebook And Twitter Handicap Hurdle just three days on from finishing fourth at Clonmel, while Kansas City Chief (14-1) took the 3 For 2 Festival Tickets At punchestown.com Handicap Chase.
