Invitation Only provided Willie Mullins with a seventh victory in the Goffs Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park, as Ruby Walsh tasted victory for a second time in the handicap steeplechase.
The champion trainer first won the showpiece event at his local track with Micko's Dream in 2000 and has since added to his tally with Hedgehunter (2004), Homer Wells (2007), dual winner On His Own (2012 and 2014) and Djakadam (2015).
This year the Closutton maestro fired a formidable eight-pronged assault and Invitation Only was the 4-1 favourite in the hands of Walsh.
The eight-year-old raced close to the pace throughout the three-mile-one-furlong contest and tracked the Gordon Elliott-trained Alpha Des Obeaux into the home straight.
There was little to choose between the pair jumping the final fence, but Invitation Only soon got on top and claimed a decisive one-and-a-quarter-length win.
Mullins was also responsible for the third home Up For Review, with Elliott's Out Sam rounding off the top four.
Invitation Only wins the Thyestes Chase for Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins, justyifying favouritism in the Gowran Park feature. pic.twitter.com/BOlAEV16yO
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) January 24, 2019
