Rooster Booster, trained by Philip Hobbs and ridden by Richard Johnson, won the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham today.
Hobbs' grey took over from long-time leader Intersky Falcon approaching the final hurdle and scooted up the hill to win as he liked at 9/2.
The race was dramatic from the start with Hors La Loi refusing to race and champion jockey Tony McCoy's mount Copeland toppling over at the third last.
But as they made the final turn, the blistering pace set by Intersky Falcon was taking its toll on everyone except Rooster Booster.
When Richard Johnson asserted going to the final hurdle, he quickly went clear and had 11 lengths to spare at the line.
He's a very good little horse, he travels great and he's a good horse this year. He's the best hurdler I've ridden," winning rider Johnson told Channel 4.
A delighted Hobbs added: "He did it very easily didn't he?
"Everything has gone great in the last two weeks and everything went right today. I'm very pleased.
"I was pleased to hear the commentator say Rhinestone Cowboy was in trouble at the top of the hill. He came there very easily and if anything he was in front too soon, but that couldn't be helped."
Rodi Greene powered 33/1 shot Westender into second place while 5/2 favourite Rhinestone Cowboy, who made one or two mistakes, plugged on one-paced for third.
In the opening race of the festival Edward O'Grady's Back In Front got Irish punters off to a flying start in the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival, enjoying a facile success in the Supreme Novices Hurdle this afternoon.
The 3-1 favourite took it up at the second last under Norman Williamson, who rides Champion Hurdle favourite Rhinestone Cowboy later today, and left his rivals in his wake in the two-mile and half furlong race.
Another Irish-trained runner, Kicking King, was second at 13-2, with Chauvinist (20-1) staying on up the hill for third place.
It was Williamson's 11th winner and O'Grady's 17th at the Festival, the highlight of the National Hunt calendar. Irish trainers have now won this race eight times since 1990.
There was another impressive winner in the following Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy when Azertyuiop stretched his unbeaten run over fences to four races with an 11-length drubbing of Impek.
The Paul Nicholls-trained 5-4 favourite was left in the lead as soon as the third fence following the fall of stablemate Le Roi Miguel, but jockey Ruby Walsh was not too concerned as he let his mount bowl along at the head of affairs.
And putting in a flawless round of jumping, Azertyuiop never looked in any danger as he drew clear from the penultimate fence to score in style. Isio was a length back in third.
"This has always been the aim and I'm incredibly relieved," said Nicholls. "I've always thought he was a good horse.
"He's done everything right, is a real professional and had a great jockey riding him."
Azertyuiop earned a quote of 6-1 for next year's Queen Mother Champion Chase with his victory in today's £140,000 contest and Nicholls said that is the gelding's long-term target.
Impek's trainer Henrietta Knight said: "He seems to be growing up a bit now. "I was standing by the second last fence, where he made a mistake, but he wouldn't have got near the winner.
"It was a brilliant effort and he stayed on well." Nicky Henderson, Isio's trainer, said: "He's only a baby so he has run a fantastic race."