Twinlight comes through to head Hidden Cyclone© Photo Healy Racing
Twinlight put a disappointing performance in the Hilly Way behind him when bouncing right back to form in the featured Grade 1 Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet Chase at Leopardstown.
Prior to being pulled up in the Hilly Way at Cork he had convincingly won the Grade 2 Fortria Chase at Navan and today showcased his abilities again.
English raider Uxizandre took the field along at a healthy gallop, but the 2/1 favourite was headed at the fifth and weakened from the second last to come home eighth.
Paul Townend travelled nicely on Twinlight (16/1) approaching the straight and guided his mount into second before the last. Hidden Cyclone had already set sail for home, but was headed at the last and couldn't match the winner who powered away to score by four and three quarter lengths.
Andrew McNamara kept Hidden Cyclone going for second at 7/1. He hit the line two and a quarter lengths ahead of Simply Ned in third at 9/1.
Willie Mullins said: "I think he just sulked a bit at Cork. Things just need to right for him, and when he threw a huge jump at the second fence down the back I thought he'd a chance.
"Hidden Cyclone ran a great race and I thought he had us beat before the last. I'm delighted for Paul to get a Grade 1 winner here.
"The ground at Cheltenham is usually too good for him."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
