Road To Respect and Sean Flanagan lead Clan Des Obeaux© Photo Healy Racing
Road To Respect bagged back-to-back wins in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal with a stylish success in the season's first Grade One contest.
The three-miler developed into a real thriller as the five runners all approached the third last in with a shout.
English raider Clan Des Obeaux who had jumped magnificently throughout, had the edge away from the fence at the top of the hill but was soon tracked through by Road To Respect.
Sean Flanagan let his mount slip into the lead going to the second last and a quick jump there looked to have sealed the deal.
Clan Des Obeaux, sent off 7/4 favourite, tried valiantly to rally going to the final fence but couldn't peg back Road To Respect.
Noel Meade 's charge found plenty on the run-in to storm to a convincing four-length success at odds of 5/2.
Long-time leader Alpha Des Obeaux finished ten lengths back in third while last year's leading novice Delta Work could only manage fourth having made errors when the pace quickened over the last three fences.
Meade said: "Paul Carberry actually rode him work twice when Sean was out. We brought him to Punchestown and worked him and then we brought him to Navan and worked him. The last day he said 'spot on, don't do any more'.
"I weighed him every week and I got the fright of my life this morning as he is 19 kilos heavier than he was this day last year and he was heavy here last year. He has obviously matured a lot and he has got very strong.
"To be honest last season got destroyed when he ran on fast ground in Leopardstown. Everyone kept saying he wants fast ground - he doesn't, he wants soft ground and it destroyed his jumping. He didn't jump in Cheltenham because he wouldn't let himself go in the shoulders.
"Leopardstown is the obvious place to go again but we'll see about the ground, the ground would have to be easy enough.
"He'll definitely be put in the King George. He seems to have straightened out his jumping. Michael and Eddie (O'Leary) will make plans. Michael has always been keen to stay in Ireland before going to Cheltenham.
"If we can keep him in that sort of shape and on that sort of ground I think he is a contender wherever.
"When you get one of Paul Nicholls' upside you and he starts coming back at you, you start thinking about that hill in Ditcheat!
"He was great and he (Sean Flanagan) gave him a super ride today, he just kept jumping. I didn't plan it with him, he planned it with me.
"He jumped brilliant, he was very good. They weren't going very quick which was a great help to get those horses jumping.
"He will (come on for today) but maybe he is better 19 kilos heavier."
Sean Flanagan added: "This is definitely his time of the year. He was in super form at home."
BoyleSports cut Road To Respect from 25/1 to 14/1 for the King George.
Paddypower make the winner 12/1 from 16/1 for the Ryanair.
(Quotes by Michael Graham)
