Zaralabad showed younger rivals the way in the feature earlier on and it was a case of experience defeating youth again with course winner (won a handicap chase here in July) Eagle's Pass defeating eight of his juniors in the TVM Novice Chase under Paul Townend at Killarney.

Most of them came into the straight with their hopes still intact here but from before the last Eagle's Pass called upon his undoubted pace and class and he forged clear on the run-in to beat Slieveardagh by two and a half lengths.

Winning trainer Thomond O'Mara said: "He might run under his penalty at Galway on Sunday (he is in the Guinness Handicap Chase at Ballybrit).

"This horse has been placed in two Galway Hurdles so he's always had the class."