Buckers Bridge (7/2) edged out Twinlight in a thrilling finish to the Flyingbolt Novice Chase at Navan.
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Ruby Walsh set out to make every yard in the Grade Two contest aboard the eventual runner-up and a sensible gallop in the conditions ensured that all five runners were still in contention turning for home.
Prima Vista was the first to drop away and was soon followed by the disappointing favourite Dedigout who failed to pick up as the tempo quickened.
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Cootamundra was waited with in third but could never get to the leading pair who jumped the last together.
Twinlight got away from that obstacle better than his rival but Andrew Lynch re-energised his mount for another challenge and wore down his rival close home.
Buckers Bridge had won his sole point and first two starts in bumpers before having his attention switched to chasing.
He had got off to the perfect start in this discipline on debut before a below par performance in the Drinmore in early December but proved that running to be all wrong with a game display.
Winning trainer Henry De Bromhead said: "He just wasn't right at Fairyhouse (fifth in the Drinmore Chase) the last day so we backed off him and gave him a bit of a break. He seems to be back as good as ever.
"He jumped super and battled well. I hope that trip was a bit sharp for him and we'll step him up a bit in distance.
"He's entered in the Jewson at Cheltenham. I also put him in the novice handicap chase but he probably won't be qualified for that now."
Sky Bet introduced the winner at 25/1 for the Jewson Novices' Chase at next month's Cheltenham Festival.
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