Holy Orders got up in the shadow of the post to snatch victory in the Grade One Ballymore Properties Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown today.
All the early running had been cut out by Ted Walsh's Commanche Court but when the 9-10 favourite Sacundai moved up ominously well on the home turn, the race looked sure to be his.
Norman Williamson took up the running on the favourite but Shay Barry produced a beautifully-timed run on the Willie Mullins-trained winner approaching the last.
Holy Orders, a 6-1 shot, pinged the last and ran on strongly to deny Sacundai by half a length.
"I just couldn't believe how he put his head down and battled so well," said Mullins.
"I thought he'd arrived soon enough to challenge. He ran his heart out today so I don't think we will run him again tomorrow in the Champion Hurdle.
"We might look at the French Champion Hurdle, which is over three and a quarter miles. I should have had this horse over three miles long ago."