Dour stayer Foxchapel King won the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown.
The 9/2 shot showed admirable grit up the home straight to hold off the late challenge of 7/2 fancy Native Upmanship by a decreasing margin with Alexander Banquet back in third at 6/1.
The sole British raider Paris Pike was a major disappointment and was pulled up by jockey Adrian Maguire more than a mile from home.
Earlier Limestone Lad suffered a shock defeat to Bannow Bay in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The 1/2 favourite, a leading contender for the Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, led from the off in his usual style but was collared at the final flight and had nothing extra to give.
Bannow Bay, the winner of the race last year, went away to win by a length to complete a race double at 11/4 with 9/1 shot Boss Doyle 11 lengths back in third.