Racegoers turned out at Gowran Park to witness a true champion, but War Of Attrition couldn't quite manage to rise to the occasion with a victory.
The former Cheltenham Gold Cup hero was always prominent in the Grade Two Gowran Park Champion Chase and kept to his guns well when coming under Davy Russell's whip in the straight.
But he couldn't match The Fonze for pace in the closing stages and finished an honourable second, four and a half lengths behind the 16-1 winner.
War Of Attrition's stablemate China Rock was sent off the 8-13 favourite for the Gowran Park Racing Club 2010 Beginners Chase, but he could only manage third behind Barry Geraghty and Narquois (13-2).
Geraghty was already on the scoresheet, having steered the Edward O'Grady-trained 14-1 chance O'Muircheartaigh home in the Bennettsbridge Handicap Chase.< Roseska pulled out all the stops to make it two from three over jumps in the Kilkenny 3-Y-O Hurdle.< Chebona Bula who was fourth behind his rival at Clonmel last time, actually headed the 11-10 market leader approaching the final flight, but Roseska produced a slicker leap and really stuck his neck out to get back up by a short head.< Bachelor Affair gained a deserved success in the Gowran Christmas Party 11th December Handicap Hurdle.
Gerard Mullins' 12-1 shot had filled the runner-up berth on his previous three starts, but accounted for Wikaala after the last en route to a three-length call, although his task was made easier by the fall of warm favourite Deal Or No Deal three out.
Division one of the Golf Membership At Gowran 2010 Maiden Hurdle saw former useful Flat performer Doctor Scott (12-1) putting his best foot forward, while the second heat went to Dessie Hughes' 7-2 chance Paddy Curry who is a half-brother to Hardy Eustace.
