Saylavee and Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
The Clem Jacob Hire Chase looked a match on paper and so it proved, with Saylavee getting the better of Zanahiyr by a length-and-a-quarter.
Second in Grade 3 company at Galway on her most recent start, the Willie Mullins-trained victor was sent off a 15/8 chance.
Not fluent at the first, the Shantou bay warmed to her task behind the leaders and improved into second after three out.
Getting a nice run through on the inner before the next, she soon got to the front and kept on well under pressure from there.
Blundering two out, the Jack Kennedy-ridden market leader lost valuable ground and couldn't make up the deficit once headed.
The front pair were eight-and-a-half lengths clear of Churchstonewarrior in third.
"She had a right look at the first for some reason. Maybe she just wasn't warmed up enough and I jumped off to settle her, but after that she was fine," Townend commented.
"I was able to delay my challenge today whereas at Galway I felt I was in a battle with Ashdale Bob sooner than I wanted.
"I didn't want to help Zanahiyr in front as he was having a good look around so I was just able to delay and banked on a good jump at the second last and it got me through and away.
"Her run in Galway was very good and obviously so was his, but she is a dinger around these little tight tracks.
"She loves chasing and while it was uncharacteristic of her at the first, she was good at the last two when I needed her."
