Ulster 63 Borders 17:Ulster gave their title aspirations a massive boost with a bonus point romp over the Borders which takes them to the top of the Celtic League, one point ahead of nearest challengers Leinster who play Cardiff on Sunday.
Playing their final home game of the campaign, Ulster scored nine tries while David Humphreys kicked 18 points.
Ulster now go on to complete their season with two games in Wales against Llanelli and the Ospreys respectively with a first Celtic League title triumph within their grasp.
Former Ireland and Lions winger Tyrone Howe, in his final season, was brought on to win his 100th cap for the home side.
Mark McCall's men put the opposition, who with Glasgow are chasing a Heineken Cup place next season, to the sword in a ruthless display of finishing which brought them their eighth win in succession.
Ulster did not waste time in hunting down the bonus point that would take them to the top of the League and had it in the bag after only 17 minutes in what was a frenetic half of scoring from both sides.
Seven tries were scored in all, Ulster claiming five which went some way to making up for the loss of centre Jonny Bell - on the former Ireland international's final Ravenhill appearance - after only seven minutes.
Winger Andy Maxwell touched down under the posts after Humphreys and Calum MacRae had exchanged opening penalties, to set the home side on their way after a great break from Isaac Boss.
This was rapidly followed up by a first score for Andrew Trimble after great approach work and a beautifully delayed pass by replacement Paddy Wallace.
There was no stopping Ulster now and on a quarter of an hour, Stephen Ferris crossed in the left corner from a lineout. Humphreys was wide with this conversion but Ulster looked out of sight at 22-3.
The bonus point duly arrived as Tommy Bowe ran in from 55 metres after an intercept and Humphreys added the points.
Borders responded with tries from Stuart Moffat and Simon Danielli to close the score to 29-17 but Ulster had the final say of a pulsating half when Trimble took his second to see Ulster lead 36-17 at the turnaround.
The second half, which saw both sides empty their benches and give Howe his moment of glory, was a fairly scrappy affair.
Ulster added the finishing touches to a great night's work with Bowe and Maxwell getting their second tries while Wallace also made the line.
Roger Wilson rubbed further salt into Borders' wounds by squeezing in at the left corner five minutes from time.