It was Beef Or Salmon's 10th Grade One victory

English challenger The Listener made all the running and was 10 lengths clear coming into the home straight.

Even at the last, 9-10 favourite The Listener seemed an easy winner but Andrew McNamara kept Beef Or Salmon going as the leader began to tire.

His determination paid off as Beef Or Salmon got up on the line to win by three-quarters of a length.

It was a 10th Grade One victory for the Michael Hourigan-trained 11-year-old, who had been beaten by The Listener over the same course and distance in the Lexus Chase in December.

To finally get the 10th Grade One win is amazing Trainer Michael Hourigan

Despite his great success in Ireland, the horse has never won in England but Hourigan intends to run him in the Cheltenham Gold Cup again next month.

"We always thought he had a chance up the straight and his heart is in the right place," said Hourigan, who had given the horse blinkers for the first time.

"He really stuck at it and his jumping was as good as it has ever been.

"It wasn't until they were halfway up the straight that I thought we would win.

"To finally get the 10th Grade One win is amazing and we will go to Cheltenham again with him."

Aran Concerto won the Grade One Deloitte Novice Hurdle and will be heading to the Cheltenham Festival as one of Ireland's main hopes for success.

The six-year-old registered an easy three-length victory over Leading Run and trainer Noel Meade must now decide whether to run him in the Supreme Novices Hurdle or the longer Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle.

"I've always favoured the longer race because he is bred to need a trip," said Meade.

Mister Top Notch was an impressive 14-1 winner of the Grade One Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase, finishing seven lengths clear of Vic Venturi.

Trainer Davy Fitzgerald said Mister Top Notch would not go to Cheltenham but would be aimed at Aintree or Punchestown instead.

Henessy Cognac Gold Cup
Leopardstown, 3m