Marine Nationale secured victory at last month’s Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
Marine Nationale triumphed over Fact To File in a gripping renewal of the Champion Chase, leading the opening day of the Punchestown Festival.
Fact To File, fresh from success in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and sent off the 11-10 favourite, was unable to cope with the frenetic early tempo.
Although anticipation centred on a duel between the two Cheltenham heroes, it was El Fabiolo who posed the sternest threat to Marine Nationale before falling at the second-last fence.
Ultimately, Sean Flanagan steered the 2-1 second favourite to an impressive seven-length triumph over Captain Guinness (28-1), ridden by Rachael Blackmore.
Solness (11-1) secured third, with Fact To File finishing last of the four runners completing the course.
Danny Mullins prevailed in the Champion Novice Steeplechase aboard Champ Kiely.
Trainer Willie Mullins enjoyed a remarkable pair of unexpected victories in the day’s other Grade One events.
The Champion Novice Hurdle saw 18-1 chance Irancy lead home a clean sweep for Mullins in the first four places.
Kopek Des Bordes, a Cheltenham scorer and clear market leader, took fourth as Irancy ran out a nine-length winner ahead of stablemates Salvator Mundi and Karbau.
“Irancy has always been a talented horse but suffered a setback after winning here earlier in the campaign. That pause may have worked in our favour, as he arrived fresh,” Mullins told RTE.
“I gave Kopek Des Bordes a decent break following Cheltenham, and in hindsight, it may have been too generous; perhaps we should have targeted Ayr or Perth instead.
“When I saw him in the parade ring, I thought he carried a bit too much condition, which showed in the race’s tempo.”
Mullins, who trained five of the eight contenders, also delivered a one-two finish in the Champion Novice Chase.
Champ Kiely (22-1) seized control at the penultimate fence and powered home six and a half lengths clear of 11-8 favourite Ballyburn.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, all eyes will be on Galopin Des Champs as he chases his first Punchestown Gold Cup triumph.