Knife Edge crowned a memorable day for Michael O'Brien and Tom Rudd with a comfortable triumph in the Dennys Gold Medal Novice Chase at Leopardstown.
Carrying the colours of JP McManus for the first time, the 4/7 shot challenged approaching the last (where the pace-setting Alcapone fell) and kept on to beat Well Ridden by six lengths.
'He was a little careful today, but didn't really make any mistakes,' said a relieved O'Brien afterwards.
'I'm still not sure about his ideal trip, as he runs as though he wants three miles, but didn't do that well when we tried him at 2 1/2m over hurdles,' he continued.
The well-fancied Pittsburgh Phil earlier initiated a big-race double for the successful trainer/jockey combination when routing his rivals in the Denny Juvenile Hurdle.
Always travelling and jumping well, the half-brother to Fourstars Allstar took up the running after three out and drew effortlessly clear to record a ten-length verdict over Francies Fancy.
O'Brien will now aim his exciting prospect at the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, with probably just one outing beforehand.
'He was always going to be a jumper', said the handler, 'and is for sale to stay in the yard if anyone's interested !'
Silver Steel (5/1 - 7/1), who never quite managed to get his head in front in bumpers despite several promising efforts, landed the opening 2m2f maiden hurdle.
Christy Roche's charge got the better of a sustained duel with Regal Venture from the final flight, with market leader Raunchy only third.
Roche himself supplied the favourite in the following 2m maiden through The Indispensable, but this one could never get into the shake-up behind runaway winner Bob Justice, and was later found to be lame.
Bob Justice, making his debut for Ted Walsh's stable, was given an enterprising ride by Garrett Cotter, making all for a twenty-length winning margin.
Tom Taaffe's Secret Native (20/1) blew away the hopes of many a jackpot punter with a ridiculously easy victory in the 2m2f handicap hurdle, leading at the last to score eased down.
The trainer however was far from surprised by the result : 'I told the owners he'd definitely be in the first three as he's been working really well of late.'
A dividend of #3893.30 was the reward for the 11 inspired Tote patrons who did manage to include that winner in a successful permutation.
Delgany Royal captured the final leg, the 2m5f handicap chase, in good style under a confident ride from Kieran Kelly.
An exciting conclusion to the bumper saw World Wide Web (3/1 - 4/1) wear down Pietro Vannucci (3/1 - 7/2 - 3/1f) close home.
