Ruby Walsh landed his third consecutive Guinness Kerry National when he guided 10 to 1 shot Bothar Na home for Willie Mullins.
Successful in 2004 on Banasan and 12 months ago on Euro Leader, also for Mullins, the Irish champion was never far from the pace on the seven-year-old as he completed a unique treble.
On the turn into the straight he had Nina Carberry, riding Just In Debt for Martin Todhunter, and 7 to 2 favourite Pearly Jack for company.
The field bypassed the second-last which seemed to suit Walsh as he was able to balance his mount before one last effort in the final furlong.
Bothar Na pinged the last and came home two lengths clear of Pearly Jack, with Just In Debt (25 to 1) third and Charlie Swan's Oh Be The Hokey fourth.
A delighted Mullins said: "When I saw all the rain falling last night and this morning I thought our chance had gone because it was only when the ground dried up after last winter that he found his form.
"Maybe he is just starting to mature now and is handling soft ground much better. Ruby made his mind up going out on the last circuit and decided to let him go on because he was jumping so well.
"We ran him in the Fox Hunters' at Aintree last year to see how he would handle the fences.
"Jumping is his forte and he has great scope. Long term we will have to think about the Aintree National. He is in the Munster National at Limerick next month, but that may come a bit soon and he could wait for the Cheltenham November meeting instead."
Court Masterpiece, meanwhile, has come through his final piece of work ahead of Saturday's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot with flying colours and remains firmly on course for the showpiece event.
The Group One race has been dubbed in some quarters as the "Milers Arc" after attracting eight Group One winners at the five-day stage but Ed Dunlop believes his Sussex Stakes scorer could not be in better form.
It would be an emotional victory for Dunlop after the death of his former boss, Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum, earlier in the year.
Earlier in the week, Dunlop announced that he will become a public trainer for the first time rather than be salaried under the Gainsborough Stud banner. One last big success for his employers would be a fine send off.
"It went well," said Dunlop. "It was a good bit of work and we were very happy with him.
"He's come out of it well this morning and we were pleased with the way he went. Hopefully all roads lead to Ascot now, that is the plan. He's in good form, it's a very competitive race and I hope he runs well. It would be an emotional day if he were to win, but let's cross that bridge if and when we get to it."
Connections of Goffs Million runner-up Regime have their sights set on another major pot, the Racing Post Trophy at Newbury on October 21st.
The Highclere Thoroughbred-owned juvenile ran a storming race in the richest ever two-year-old event run in Europe when he chased home Group One winner Miss Beatrix at the Curragh on Tuesday. Michael Bell's charge may even have finished closer but for being drawn on the wrong side.
