Willie Mullins claimed his fourth successive Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown today but it was Alexander Banquet who took this year's renewal with three-time winner Florida Pearl only fourth.
Alexander Banquet, sent off at 3-1, went one better than last year when he chased home his stable-mate.
Barry Geraghty sent the eventual winner up to challenge Rince Ri before the second last and as they turned for home Rince Ri just held the lead from Alexander Banquet with Florida Pearl looming large.
Florida Pearl's challenge faded, however, on the run to the last and it was left to Alexander Banquet to fight off Rince Ri over the last fence.
Behrajan ran on best of all to lay down a late challenge close home but could not peg back the winner - going down by a length-and-a-half.
Rince Ri was a further four lengths back in third with Florida Pearl eased down in fourth. The only other runner, Sackville, proved a major disappointment and trailed in a remote last.