Rhinestone Cowboy upset his stable companion Iris's Gift in the Ballymore Properties Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown today.
Leading approaching the final flight, Rhinestone Cowboy quickly drew clear for JP Magnier as trainer Jonjo O'Neill recorded a one-two in the Grade One contest over three miles.
Florida Coast set the early pace from Rosaker with Iris's Gift prominent and Rhinestone Cowboy held up in seventh place of the eight runners.
There was little change as the field set off on their final circuit. Magnier, son of winning owners John and Sue Magnier, bided his time and the amateur rider was not even concerned when Rhinestone Cowboy jumped one flight too big down the back straight and landed awkwardly.
Rosaker and Iris's Gift went on three flights from home as Florida Coast started to back peddle.
As the two leaders came under pressure turning for home, Rhinestone Cowboy was brought to challenge on the outside.
He cruised to the front just before the last flight where he made another mistake but it did not halt his momentum as he galloped on strongly all the way to the line in what was his first attempt at three miles.
O'Neill said: "JP gave him a great spin. I got a bit worried halfway through the race as the horse was being a bit silly but he's run great."
The Jackdaws Castle trainer has declared Rhinestone Cowboy for tomorrow's two-mile Emo Oil Champion Hurdle.
"We will see how he is in the morning and if he's flying we may have a look. I'm not ruling it out but I would probably say not," he said.
"He'll go for the Stayers' at Cheltenham next season now and the grey fellow will go chasing.
"I'm a very lucky man and I must hope they both stay sound."
Of the defeated Iris's Gift, he added: "He ran a great race but we may have gone to the well once too often."
Earlier, Say Again rode his luck to capture the Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase. The Paul Nolan-trained grey looked booked for third place approaching the second last fence where Colca Cannon just led Kicking King.
But Colca Canyon fell and brought down the 8-11 favourite leaving Say Again well clear, but the 6-1 shot gave his supporters a scare when clouting the last.
John Cullen sat tight and the combination got home by 11 lengths from Commonchero (8-1).
Meanwhile, Spot Thedifference won for the first time in almost three years when taking the Quins Of Baltinglasss Chase (for the La Touche Cup) over four and a quarter miles of the unique banks course.
Favourite when unseating his rider in this race 12 months ago, Spot Thedifference led between the last two fences and steadily drew away to win by 14 lengths.
The 3-1 shot, ridden by JT McNamara and trained by Enda Bolger, lifted the marathon contest from Shady Lad (14-1), who pipped Clawick Connection (40-1) for second place.
Bolger said: "I was a bit worried they left out the bank heading for home but it was an excellent race. He hasn't won for three years so it's great to see him in the winner's enclosure."