Don Cossack made the perfect reappearance as he put up a convincing display to land the Irish Daily Star Chase at Punchestown.
Jumping into the lead at the second-last fence, the Gigginstown House-owned eight-year-old cruised home in the hands of Bryan Cooper to give trainer Gordon Elliott his fifth successive win in this contest.
Roi Du Mee, one of three representing the winning connections in the five-runner field, made the running.
Bright New Dawn fell at the second obstacle and completed the course riderless. Thankfully, he did not cause any serious trouble as Don Cossack (1-4) landed the odds from Roi Du Mee, with Cailin Annamh third and Aranhill Chief last of the four finishers.
The highest-rated chaser in Ireland and Britain last season, Don Cossack was completing a quick double for Elliott and Cooper following The Game Changer’s success in the preceding Buck House Novice Chase.
Paddy Power left Don Cossack unchanged at 4-1 for the King George VI Chase and 6-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.