Spillane's Tower put Grand National-winning trainer Jimmy Mangan back in the big-race winner’s enclosure after claiming the WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse.
The County Cork handler saddled Monty’s Pass to win the world’s most famous steeplechase in 2003, while his only previous Grade One success came in this race five years later with Conna Castle.
The JP McManus-owned Spillane’s Tower had won two of his five previous outings over fences, including a Grade Three at Punchestown, before finding the re-opposing Bloody Destiny too strong in the Flyingbolt Novice Chase at Navan four weeks ago.
Bloody Destiny was the marginal favourite to confirm his superiority at 6-4, but 7-4 shot Spillane’s Tower took his revenge in the hands of Mark Walsh, travelling strongly for much of the two-and-half-mile contest before knuckling down to score by a length and three-quarters.
Tactical Move beat his Willie Mullins-trained stablemate Blood Destiny to the runner-up spot.
Mangan said: "From day one we’ve liked this horse and he’s taken to fences really well. I’m so delighted for the lads at home in the yard, Pat Murphy rides him every day, and the McManus family for sending him to me.
"We only have about a dozen horses and most of them are pointers. This horse is only a six-year-old and his future is ahead of him. When the ground dries he’ll go home to Martinstown and next year will be the plan.
"I couldn’t see why he wouldn’t stay three miles, but that will be for next year. He’s by a great sire in Walk In The Park.
"I spoke to Jody Townend and she said the ground is a bit tacky, more so on the hurdle course than the chase, so I was happy enough.
"Willie is an incredible trainer and a gentleman into the bargain. He even wished me well before the race today and vice versa, I wished him well."
Jody Townend enjoyed the biggest day of her riding career so far after steering Captain Cody to victory in the Paddy Kehoe Suspended Ceilings Novice Hurdle.
The sister of multiple champion jockey Paul Townend, Jody has won multiple graded bumpers but not previously claimed graded success over obstacles.
Townend had been on board Captain Cody for his wins in a Limerick bumper and a maiden hurdle at Gowran Park and his owners recalled the leading female amateur for this Grade Two assignment after brother Paul sided with stablemate Anotherway.
The latter was being delivered with a major challenge when taking a crashing fall two from home, after which 17-2 shot Captain Cody came through to score by six and a half lengths from Mossy Fen Park.
Mullins said: "Jody kept her horse out of trouble, kept him balanced and jumping, all the things you'd want in a young jockey.
"She's always there, rides winners all the time for us and when you consider how light she is she must have to carry a stone and a half of lead every day."
Captain Cody was one of five winners on the card for the champion trainer, with Mirazur West leading from pillar to post in the other Grade Two, the Donohue Marquees Novice Hurdle.
Too keen to do himself justice when odds-on in a Grade Three at Naas three weeks ago, the JP McManus-owned six-year-old was more settled in the lead this time under Mark Walsh and was good value for the winning margin of four and a half lengths.
"It was a good performance. Mark changed tactics today and it seemed to make a big difference to the horse," said Mullins.
"He likes to jump and gallop and looks tailor made for novice chasing next year. After the disappointment of Naas it was nice for him to come out and do that and we'll look and see what’s left for him for the rest of the season."
The other Mullins winners were Rath Gaul Boy (8-11 favourite) in the Ryan’s Cleaning Maiden Hurdle, Jade De Grugy (7-4 favourite) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle, both ridden by Paul Townend, and Kopek Des Bordes in the Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper.
The latter was the 15-8 favourite to make a successful debut in the €100,000 finale and cruised to a 13-length victory under an ultra-confident Patrick Mullins, with Nigel Twiston-Davies’ British raider Clap Of Thunder clear best of the rest.
Willie Mullins, who also enjoyed a double at Cork to take his Easter Sunday tally to seven, said: "He looks a nice type. He worked well at home and showed today that his home work was right.
"We’ll see if we go to Punchestown – maybe not as it might be too much to ask him. He’s a lovely type for the future.
"Doctor Steinberg also ran well in third and they are both nice prospects for the future."
