Ruby Walsh led his rivals a merry dance once again when making all the running on Min in the JLT Chase at Aintree.
Narrowly touched off in the race 12 months ago by Politologue, the first two filled the places in the Grade One feature again, but there was a 20-length turnaround in the result this time.
Walsh, just as he did on Kemboy in the Bowl 24 hours earlier, dictated the pace and the others were happy to file in behind.
Turning into the straight, Walsh got a breather into the 2-1 favourite, but after jumping the third-last he pressed the button and shot clear, ending the race - better known as the Melling Chase - as a contest.
Waiting Patiently could never quite get on terms and finished third, but in truth this was all about Willie Mullins' eight-year-old.
Mullins said: "I think he's back to himself and maybe that performance was a career-best. I think we'll go to Punchestown."
Walsh said "He was brilliant. We tried something different at Cheltenham to try to beat Altior and it didn't work. I felt he didn't jump as well as he can at Cheltenham.
"He got into a lovely rhythm today and jumped like a buck. He was magic.
"We always thought he was as really good horse, and he is - it just shows you what a good horse Altior is."
"Without Altior we'd have won a Supreme and a Champion Chase with this horse."
A fine day for Mullins was completed by the victory of the Paul Townend-ridden Cadmium (8-1) (above) in the Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase over the famous Grand National fences.
Mullins said: "That was impressive - impressive from horse and rider."
Asked whether he could be a National contender next year, the trainer added: "Looking at that you wouldn't think so. I think he'd run too free.
"His jumping was so good and I think we'll just keep him at that sort of trip."
There was a sad postscript to the race when Forest Des Aigles, who was in second at the time, broke down and was pulled up after jumping the last, with it subsequently confirmed he had suffered a fatal injury.
Champ (above) gave Mark Walsh a spare ride to remember when regaining the winning thread in the Doom Bar Sefton Novices' Hurdle.
Walsh, who won the Champion Hurdle on Espoir D'Allen, took his chance after Barry Geraghty was hurt in a fall in the Topham.
He bided his time on the Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old, before delivering him to challenge in the straight.
Leading two out, the 9-4 favourite bounded clear to strike from Emitom and Lisnagar Oscar, in the process going one place better than in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month
