Tranquil Sea stamped his class on the Clonmel Oil Chase to make it back-to-back wins in the Grade Two contest.
Barry Geraghty 's mount looked in trouble as he was pushed along three from home but the nine-year-old came back on the bridle turning for home.
The easy to back 5/4 favourite (from 8/11 in the morning) was asked to assert before the final fence and soon settled matters. Psycho came through to chase him home but could only get within four lengths of the winner.
It was the fourth year in succession that Edward O'Grady's charge had made a successful seasonal reappearance.
The winner will now bid to repeat last year's victory in the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Chase.
"I had it in my mind that if he won here today that he would go back for the John Durkan and he'll probably go there now," said O'Grady afterwards.
"If he had been beaten I was thinking of the Grand Sefton at Aintree.
"Barry said he took a blow across the top and missed one but he got his lungs filled coming down the hill.
"I was very disappointed when he schooled at Punchestown recently but he did two very nice pieces of work since.
"If I hadn't seen him at Punchestown I would have fancied him a lot today.
"Long-term he will stay going. I was a bit blase with him last year. I put him away but didn't get rewarded. He is nine rising ten."
