Leopardstown day three: Tidal Bay, under a brilliant ride from Ruby Walsh, got up in the final strides to land what looked an unlikely victory in a thrilling renewal of the Lexus Chase.
Walsh got an amazing run out of the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding to pass several rivals on the run-in to give owner Graham Wylie a second Grade One on the card after Back In Focus took the Topaz Chase.
In a bunch finish, Tidal Bay (9 to 2) snatched the spoils from First Lieutenant with Flemenstar and Sir Des Champs just behind.
The Neil Mulholland-trained Midnight Chase made the running with Hidden Cyclone and Quito De La Roque on his heels and Tidal Bay held up in the rear.
Hidden Cyclone went on during the final circuit while Flemenstar appeared to be going ominously well as Peter Casey’s stable star tried to take his winning sequence to eight, on his first try at three miles.
China Rock led two out, but Flemenstar was still going best and landed over the last with the race to win.
However, his stamina appeared to give out on the soft ground on the run to the line.
Tidal Bay still had a few lengths to find but he found what was necessary as Walsh produced him between horses, getting up to score by a head from First Lieutenant with Flemenstar third.
Sir Des Champs was just behind but his chances of success were not helped by his jumping.
Wylie said: “This is up there with Inglis Drever. Back In Focus and now Tidal Bay. Both looked like they were beat over the last and both came with a great run in the end and just nicked it.
“I thought our fella was cooked four out, but then he started to come again. He’s just got guts that horse.
“Paul has done an amazing job with him and Ruby as well. He gave him a great ride because you have to be patient. He’s an odd, quirky character even at home but it was a great training performance and a great ride.”
Walsh said: “He jumped the second-last well and I got through the gap going to the last. He was really finishing and I thought I had a chance of getting to them.
“He was a bit flat-footed at the last and he took time to pick up, but when he did he started to fly and I guess 100 yards down I was thinking I was going to get there.
“Everyone was in the same boat. We all knew Flemenstar’s stamina had to be tested and Midnight Chase went a good honest gallop and the tempo was upped all the way. It was a real true-run contest.
“He’s a different horse this year. He won at Wetherby, was second in the Hennessy at Newbury and has come and won today. It’s brilliant.”
Nicholls said: “The extra two furlongs at Cheltenham will suit him well. He’s in the form of his life for an 11-year-old. Roll on Cheltenham.”
Casey said of Flemenstar: “Andrew (Lynch) said he pulled too hard. Maybe it would have been better if he had gone off in front.
“I don’t think it was too far for him today. He boiled over a little bit. We had a job putting a saddle on him. He wasn’t settled. Andrew said we’ll have to go for the Hennessy and you have to do what the jockey says.”
Walsh's win in the feature completed an 81 to 1 treble after he also conjured a late rally out of Back In Focusto deny Aupcharlie as Mullins claimed a one-two in the Topaz Novice Chase.
The strong-travelling Aupcharlie was going the better on the run to the final fence but he pecked slightly on landing and could not pull far enough clear of his nearest pursuer.
Walsh kept at the Graham Wylie-owned seven-year-old on the long run-in and the 6 to 4 favourite battled on bravely to get up close home to score by a head. Texas Jack was third.
Mount Benbulben was pulled up after making a bad mistake as the field went out for the final circuit while Tony McCoy’s partner Jenari fell at the following fence and Lyreen Legend came down three out.
Paddy Power left Back In Focus unchanged at 14 to 1 for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.
Trainer and jockey were also successful in the Star Best For Racing Christmas Rated Hurdle as Supreme Carolina(5 to 1) prevailed.
There were plenty in with chances at the final flight but it was Supreme Carolina who showed the neatest turn of foot to take the honours.
Persian Gayle fought hard but was beaten half a length with Pires just behind in third.
Monksland(11 to 4) gained his revenge over Zaidpour with a cosy success in the woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle.
Noel Meade’s five-year-old overturned a defeat in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse with the help of a 2lb pull over Willie Mullins’s runner.
Whatuthink set out to make all the running and held a big advantage at one stage.
However, he was swallowed up before the final flight where Zaidpour jumped into the lead, but Paul Carberry delivered Monksland with a perfectly-timed challenge on the far side to swoop for a two-and-a-half-length verdict.
Flying Light(10 to 1) gained a narrow success in an open race for the Mongey Communications Novice Handicap Hurdle.
Andrew McNamara brought John Queally’s charge through a crowd of horses to lead at the final flight and staved off Grange, who battled all the way to the line and was only a neck down.
Talbot Roadwon a dramatic race for the opening Madigans Maiden Hurdle after the two market leaders Foxrock and Mala Beach made extraordinary exits.
The Ted Walsh-trained Foxrock, the 5 to 4 favourite, got no further than the first flight when badly hampered and giving Walsh no chance of staying in the saddle.
Foxrock continued riderless, causing the rest of the field problems as he kept running in and out of the hurdles track.
Mala Beach then got squeezed up on the rail after jumping the second-last hurdle giving Davy Condon a fall.
Thunder And Roses looked likely to come out on top but Barry Cash’s vigorous riding of the Arthur Moore-trained Talbot Road (7 to 1) proved most effective as he prevailed by two lengths.