Punchestown Festival Day Two: War of Attrition completed a festival double this afternoon when it romped home ahead of the competition to win the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown.
Just 40 days after flying up the Cheltenham hill to capture jump racing's most coveted prize, Mouse Morris' seven-year-old was at it again as he comfortably accounted for Beef Or Salmon by two and a half lengths.
The 4-5 favourite was well-supported following his Cheltenham Gold Cup success and cries of "go on the War" reverberated around the stands as soon as the six runners set out on their three-mile-one-furlong journey.
A potential lack of pace meant O'Dwyer took the initiative and set out to put his rivals to the sword, asserting himself in the lead from the outset and never seeing another horse throughout.
The partnership increased the pace down the back straight and despite 2004 winner Beef Or Salmon (9-2) trying his best to close the gap, Michael Hourigan's charge could never get on terms, although he ran his best race for some time.
His stablemate Hi Cloy also ran a cracker on his first try at the trip to finish a length and a half away in third, with Watson Lake fourth and Forget The Past — who lost all chance with a mistake six out — coming home fifth.
Coral make War Of Attrition their 3-1 favourite to retain his crown at Cheltenham next March, VC Bet go 4-1 and William Hill 5-1.
Morris said: "He was very well today and he's a horse that does everything — he stays, has pace and jumps.
"He did it the hard way although that was not the plan, it was just the way it panned out.
"He has always been a very natural jumper and was just idling in front and messing about.
"As far as next season goes, I have not even thought about it and we will only start to consider where we will go from mid-summer onwards.
"He is just starting to come right and is learning every day. He is getting more and more into it."
O'Dwyer admitted he had been forced into making the running after conferring with his fellow riders at the start.
He said: "He did it very well and he's some horse.
"I got to the start and talked to the other lads and nobody wanted to go on so I decided I was going to make it as I didn't want it to turn into a sprint.
"When he heard anything coming up behind he picked up again and with having had quite a light season, he was able to come here in such good form.
"I have never ridden such a precise and fast jumper — there are no chinks in his armour.
"He came up big at the third-last and gave me a huge thrill."
Michel Hourigan was pleased with the performance of both his horses.
He said: "My two have both run well after hard seasons. Hi Cloy got the trip and we will look at stepping him up again next season.
"Beef ran a cracker. Timmy (Murphy) was very happy with him and said he might have lost some of his speed on this quicker ground. He is a 10-year-old now and might need softer ground to be at his best.
"On softer ground he will still be a contender for all the big races next year.
"He jumped great and I am very pleased. With Church Island and these two I will have a strong team for the staying chases next season.
"I am really looking forward to next winter and it is these type of horses that keep you getting up at 6am and wanting to go to work."
With the war over, the victor is off to Gigginstown for the summer and will be paraded before racing at Kilbeggan at the start of next month.