Don Cossack and Bryan Cooper© Photo Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott and Bryan Cooper enjoyed the easiest Grade Three double they are ever likely to have at Punchestown, which was completed when Don Cossack coasted to victory in the Irish Daily Star Chase.
Cooper was happy to allow others to lead, and oozed confidence as he took closer order approaching the penultimate fence.
Another good leap at the last put the race beyond doubt for the 1-4 favourite, as he easily beat stablemate Roi Du Mee by 12 lengths.< The Game Changer made it six wins from just eight chase starts with a bloodless victory in the Buck House Novice Chase.< Sizing Platinum led the field along, but the writing looked on the wall a long way out as Cooper sat motionless on Elliott's even-money favourite approaching the last.
After jumping the final fence upsides, he skipped away from his tiring rival to score by three lengths.
Both winners are owned by Gigginstown House Stud, who made it three victories on the card when Noel Meade's Gunnery Sergeant (2-1) ran on strongly for Patrick Mullins to land the Punchestown For Events Flat Race.
Favourite Mighty Concorde was a disappointing third as Winter Lion landed the Buy Your 2016 Annual Badge Maiden Hurdle.
Matthew Smith's 9-2 winner looked in trouble as the market leader loomed upsides on the home turn, seemingly going much better, but he found plenty for Keith Donoghue's pressure and cleared away after the last, beating Supreme Vinnie by two and three-quarter lengths.
The highly experienced Derek O'Connor squeezed Much Wants More between horses at the last in the Ingoldsby (QR) Handicap Chase, before Martin Brassil's charge ran on to beat favourite King Leon by two and three-quarter lengths.
James Nash's Comehere Hi (20-1) produced a tremendous late surge under Thomas Doran to land the Panoramic Restaurant Raceday Hospitality Handicap Hurdle, while the Punchestown November Festival Christmas Fair Handicap Hurdle went the way of the Andrew Lynch-trained Jarob (11-4 favourite) under Finny Maguire.
