Henry De Bromhead and Aidan Coleman combined to sink Nube Negra and Chacun Pour Soi in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase with Put The Kettle On.
Willie Mullins' wait for a first Champion Chase goes on after his 8/13 favourite Chacun Pour Soi couldn't hold off Put The Kettle On and Nube Negra up the hill despite leading after the last.
Last year's Sporting Life Arkle winner continued a dream week for De Bromhead, who now has the Champion Hurdle, Ballymore Novices' Hurdle and Champion Chase trophies heading back to Ireland with likely more to come.
Chacun Pour Soi travelled beautifully for Paul Townend, but soon after he jumped the last in front Put The Kettle On made her challenge with Harry Skelton still waiting to press the button on Nube Negra.
It resulted in a dramatic finish with Put The Kettle On holding on from the flying Nube Negra, with Chacun Pour Soi only third.
Sceau Royal finished with a rattle out of the places after suffering severe interference rounding the turn for home in an incident with Rouge Vif, after Chacun Pour Soi had passed in front of the pair.
RESULT: 3.05 Cheltenham - Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
1st PUT THE KETTLE ON (17/2)
2nd Nube Negra (11/1)
3rd Chacun Pour Soi (8/13 favourite)
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Coleman told ITV Racing: “She gave some fantastic jumps – three out, she was all wrong but she just threw herself at it and made ground up.
“It wasn’t ideal – but it’s just testament to her ability.
“She had two horses either side of her, and she just wasn’t getting passed.
“I beat off Chacun Pour Soi, and then Harry (Skelton, on Nube Negra) came – and she went again.
“If I could bottle what she has I wouldn’t have to ride again – I’d sell it, and be a rich man.”
Coleman insisted all praise should be reserved for Put The Kettle On, not him.
“I don’t want to take any plaudits for this – this mare is just something else,” he said.
“Whether she’s the best or not doesn’t matter – when you’ve got heart as much as she has, I don’t have to do a lot.
“She’d win that race loose if you put my weight in lead on her back – she just wants it that much.
“It was very special – pulling up was nearly emotional, because we all love these horses and we do it day in, day out for them.
“When you ride something that loves it and wants to win as much as this, it’s just a pleasure.
“It brings you back to your roots and why you wanted to get into the game – and that’s the love of the animal.
“You can’t watch this race and the jumps she put in and her attitude at the last and not really appreciate what they do for us.”
It's Shishkin, though, who is favourite for next year's Champion Chase with Sky Bet.
Michael Shinners said: "In the most exciting race of the Festival so far, Put The Kettle On showed real guts and determination to win.
"There was clearly little to separate the first 5 in the race with Chacun Pour Soi appearing to not quite get up the Cheltenham hill.
"We are now 6/4 Shishkin for next year’s Champion Chase."
