Favourite backers had plenty of moments of concern in the two mile handicap chase but ultimately Punches Cross got up in the closing stages.

The 2/1 shot was still fourth jumping the last and made a slight mistake at it but soon made headway to dispute second.

In a three-way go for the line, he stayed on best on the inside to get up by a head from Quamino (9/1). Arvico Bleu who led over the last, was a short head away in third.

Joseph O’Brien said: “Mark gave him a great ride. He didn’t jump as well today as he did here the last time. He missed the first couple and the last but it was a good competitive race and there wasn’t much in it.

“We’ll find something similar for him.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee