Invitation Only led his rivals a merry dance in the Total Event Rental (Kildare) Novice Chase at Punchestown.
The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old fell at the fifth fence on his chasing debut at this venue in mid-November, but having bounced back with an impressive victory at Navan last month, he was the 5/4 favourite stepped up to Grade Three level in the hands of the trainer's nephew, David Mullins.
Invitation Only travelled strongly and fenced fluently for the duration of the two-and-a-half-mile contest and had his rivals on the stretch turning for home.
His stablemate Koshari threatened to make a race of it jumping the final fence, but Invitation Only quickened up well on the run-in to score by two and a half lengths.
The winning rider said: "He's got buckets of scope and he's a real galloping jumper. I was very impressed with him. He quickened up off the bend and did everything right and he's one to look forward to.
"I couldn't believe at the third-last where he came from. He was as far out at the other side and he's got it all really."
Koshari gave the champion trainer a one-two, with The Storyteller third after making a mistake at the second-last fence.
Sky Bet, who are non-runner/no bet for all races at the Cheltenham Festival, make the winner 8/1 from 10s for the RSA Chase and 6s from 8s for the JLT.
Spokesman Michael Shinners said: “He showed his wellbeing and jumped well here. He’s obviously a Cheltenham Festival player and it will be fascinating to see what direction connections take with him.”
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