Newmill ran out a tired winner of the Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Novice Chase at Leopardstown this afternoon.
Tom O'Leary's charge, one of the best novice hurdlers in the country last season, travelled well throughout the Grade Two contest behind pace-setter Strong Project.
The leader was far from fluent at the third-last fence and Barry Geraghty decided to kick for home aboard Newmill.
The 100-30 shot was quickly clear, but started to tire after the last fence and had just enough in reserve to hold off the renewed challenge of Strong Project by two lengths.
The 7-4 favourite Keepatem was never travelling particularly well but kept on to take third in the two-mile-five-furlong contest.
Marcus Du Berlais took the valuable Pierse Leopardstown Handicap Chase after benefiting from a confident ride from Barry Cash.
The grey was settled in mid-division for much of the three-mile race and cruised into contention alongside leader The Galway Man with three fences to go.
Cash was still hard on the steel aboard Arthur Moore's eight-year-old approaching the last, but had to get busy to repel a number of challengers building up behind.
Marcus Du Berlais responded quickly to his urgings and the 13-2 shot bounded away, finishing a cosy four lengths clear of early leader Hersov.