A cracking renewal of the MCR Hurdle at Leopardstown saw Puyol owned and trained by John Mulhern, break his duck over obstacles.
John Cullen's mount had endured a frustrating run of seconds, including when chasing home Dunguib at Punchestown in November, but the switch to handicap company paid off handsomely.
There were inevitably plenty still in with a chance as the 30-strong field approached the second-last flight and it looked like turning into a Willie Mullins benefit race with Tarkari Tawaagg and the strong-travelling C'Est Ca all in the mix.
It was 16-1 chance Puyol, however, who took it up coming to the last and he spoilt the Mullins party by seeing off Tawaagg by half a length.
The Paul Roche-trained Anothercoppercoast showed a tremendous attitude to land the Leopardstown Handicap Chase.
After hitting the front when Polmar fell five from the finish, the 7-1 chance looked a sitting duck when a host of rivals loomed up on the turn, but he dug deep for Shay Barry and ultimately won going away from the well-backed Jayo < Roberto Goldback supplemented his recent Navan win with victory in the MCR Novice Chase.
Jessie Harrington's 5-2 chance was always moving kindly for Robbie Power and after edging to the front three fences out, the result was never in doubt.
Long-time leader Apt Approach boxed on well for second, but was six lengths behind at the line.< Shakervilz (2-1) looks an exciting recruit to fences after making a successful start over the larger obstacles in the Leopardstown Annual Badge Beginners Chase.< Sorceror appeared to have the race won approaching the last, but Mullins' 141-rated staying hurdler found another gear on the run-in to get up by three-quarters of a length in the hands of Paul Townend.
Dessie Hughes's Rick (11-8 joint-favourite) gained a richly-deserved first career win under Paddy Flood in the www.leopardstown.com Maiden Hurdle, while Dermot Weld enjoyed a double through Prince Erik (10-1) in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle and Hidden Universe (4-6) in the concluding Ladbrokes
