Brave Inca landed a massive Irish gamble in the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival this afternoon, holding off the challenge of War of Attrition in a thrilling finish up the hill.
The Colm Murphy-trained Irish raider had to dig very deep to get the better of the aptly-named rival in the Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
The pair had matters between them turning for home and jumped the last upsides. Fleet Street stayed on for third.
Locksmith and Fleet Street raced up with the pace from the off, with Brave Inca eventually settled in mid-division.
Barry Cash took closer order with three to jump and he was right on War Of Attrition's shoulder as they came round the final bend.
They both pinged the last and it was only at the line that Brave Inca, who went off at 7-2, prevailed in a truly titanic contest.
In the second race champion trainer-jockey combination of Martin Pipe and Tony McCoy got the home contingent off the mark when Well Chief took the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase.
He looked to have the measure of Kicking King, but made a mistake at the final fence that gave supporters of the Irish raider renewed hope.
However, Well Chief found more on the run-in in a terrific battle to land the spoils.