Un De Sceaux crashed out of the Paddy Power Chase two fences from home, clearing the way for veteran Flemenstar to snatch victory at Leopardstown.
The Anthony Curran-trained horse returned to winning ways after more than two years after Un De Sceaux’s dramatic fall on the second day of the Christmas festival.
The 1-4 favourite was in command of the race heading to the second-last but failed to clear the penultimate fence, although both horse and jockey, Ruby Walsh, were both quickly back up to their feet.
It left Flemenstar and Simply Ned in a two-way race down the stretch and it was the former, ridden by Andew Lynch, who won by a length.
It was Flemestar’s first Grade One victory since winning the John Durkan Memorial at Punchestown in 2012.
Later in the day, Long Dog justified his favourite’s tag by leading from start to finish to claim the Future Champions Novice Hurdle, with Walsh on board.
Barry Geraghty then guided Minella Foru to success in the penultimate race of the day as Eddie Harty’s six-year-old emerged triumphant in the three-mile contest.
It completed a fine day for Harty after 11-8 favourite Copy That won the Handicap Hurdle earlier.
