Sent off the well supported even money favourite (opened on track at 13/8) Pozyc for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh duly obliged in the feature race of the day the Edmond Whelan Memorial Handicap Hurdle.

The French bred son of Polish Summer was last seen finishing second to Original Option at Bellewstown when sent off the short price 6/5 favourite. Before that he pulled up on firm ground at Tramore at the odds of 13/8 and favourite.

It was a case of third time lucky today as he rewarded punters for their faith in him. He cruised into the lead before two out and went clear on the run to the last. He looked set for a cosy victory from there but Faltering Fullback (16/1) came with a surge, that proved just too late.

Just half a length separated the pair at the line with stablemate to the winner, Inspector Closeau a further length and a half back in third at 8/1.

Gary Davis, assistant trainer to Willie Mullins, said afterwards: "It was survival of the fittest out there, the ground today is in a league of its own.

"He needs to be produced late. Ruby gave him a lovely ride and he did it well."