The big Boxing Day race lived up to all expectations, but few would have predicted that Adrian Maguire's ride would leave the big guns in his wake.

Champion jockey Tony McCoy, on board Best Mate, finished in second while Bacchanal took third.

Favourite, First Gold ridden by Thierry Doumen, finished in fourth.

Florida Pearl took the lead just before the 11th jump, although it appeared that First Gold or Best Mate were biding their time before making a charge.

But the Willie Mullins trained horse held back until the final hurdle when Mick Fitzgerald ride Bacchanal and Best Mate made their respective moves.

Maguire responded by opening up Florida Pearl's stride to soar to victory by two lenghts.

Earlier, the Boxing Day card started with a bang as McCoy and Doumen treated spectators to an epic tussle.

Doumen rode Barito home in the opening race of the day - the Pertemps Christmas Greetings Novices Hurdle - leaving McCoy trailing in second on Island Sound, by a short head.

But the champion jockey bounced back in the Pertemps Novices Chase, beating Doumen's ride Innox into second, aboard Maximise.

The Pertemps Christmas Hurdle was won by Fitzgerald on board the favourite Landing Light.