Racing:Kauto Star served up a festive treat to rank himself alongside Desert Orchid with a third straight win in the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton Park.
The contest has seen plenty of dual winners with the likes of Kicking King, One Man and The Fellow all racking up consecutive victories in recent years.
Wayward Lad was a triple winner but only 'Dessie' managed the straight hat-trick in the late 1980s, until Kauto Star swept aside any hint of a decline to again put his stamp on the race under Ruby Walsh.
Paul Nicholls' multiple Grade One winner had met with defeat on three of his four previous outings, and speculation was building the eight-year-old was past his best.
Punters seemingly decided that proposition was nonsense and piled their Christmas readies into Kauto Star to send him off the 10-11 favourite.
The 2007 Gold Cup hero was always travelling sweetly, and after being joined by Albertas Run turning for home he quickly shrugged him aside to overcome his trademark final-fence blunder and score by eight lengths.
Nicholls said: "This is great for the horse. He has been an amazing horse for us — three King Georges now, Betfair Chases, Gold Cups, Tingle Creeks — he has done it all.
"I think horses like this should get more respect and not be knocked all the time. He is great for racing, pays people's wages and we should respect what he has done.
"I have said that I made an error of judgement running him at Haydock. He wasn't at his best that day and it wasn't Sam Thomas' finest hour, but I knew he was back to his best today and he has shown everyone how good he is."
Kauto Star's victory was a first major success for Walsh since returning from a spell on the sidelines during which time he had his spleen removed following a fall at Cheltenham last month.
The jockey — who returned to chants of 'there is only one Ruby Walsh' — said: "He's a star, isn't he?
"He's always been a wonderful horse but when you are at the top, people want to knock you.
"To win three King Georges is fantastic. He is a great horse and it is a pleasure to have ridden him in so many races."
Harchibald showed he can never be discounted when conditions come right as he collected the second Christmas Hurdle of his career.
Noel Meade's charge (7-1) was the bright young hope back in 2004 when he cruised home in the Stan James-sponsored Grade One.
But he has become one of the most captivating and often frustrating performers in the sport, with his habit of traveling beautifully until he is asked a serious question.
Twelve months ago he was fended off by Straw Bear, but this time it was Blue Bajan and Snap Tie who provided the greatest challenge after the favourite Punjabi failed to take off properly at the second-last and crashed out.
Meade had to suffice with running Harchibald on the all-weather and had brought him to Britain several times in recent weeks — only to find the meetings abandoned.
But yet again Paul Carberry and the nine-year-old were swinging away on the bridle turning for home.
Desperate not to see his white noseband in front too soon, the jockey continually tugged at his reins to keep him interested and just behind horses.
Punjabi's fall looked to cost valuable momentum but Harchibald managed to stay composed — even after he flattered the last — and looked as good as ever as he controlled Snap Tie and Blue Bajan to win by three-quarters of a length.
Carberry said: "I said to Ruby (Walsh) at the start that he hadn't felt this way in a long time.
"He put in a few brave leaps but he always gets there — it was important not to get him to the front too soon.
"We had a couple of scary moments but he kicked on when I asked him to quicken.
"I have never really taken notice the criticism and we know how good he is. He was a bit flat in the race last year and maybe hit the front too soon."
Harchibald is still around 20-1 to win an elusive Champion Hurdle and Carberry added: "Binocular was very impressive last week but if he goes there in good form, he has always got a squeak."