Odds-on favourite Hiddenvalley Lake was forced to play second fiddle to Monty's Star at Clonmel on Thursday, when the less-fancied stablemate spearheaded an impressive one-two for Henry de Bromhead.
Under Rachael Blackmore, Hiddenvalley Lake looked every part the 8/13 favourite for most of the race, leading at a canter as 7/1 shot Monty's Star stayed in his slipstream until the field turned for home.
The pair then locked horns over the final two flights, with Monty's Star winning the battle to discard his maiden tag in prevailing by half a length on the line, giving jockey Sean Flanagan a second winner back since his return from a back injury suffered in a heavy fall at Thurles in October.
After finishing second in a Navan maiden on his jumping debut last month, this success has now booked six-year-old Monty's Star his ticket to Cheltenham next month.
"I'm delighted with that and Sean gave him a great ride. He has taken a long time, he is a big, big horse and ran really well in his maiden hurdle at Navan when he was a bit green," De Bromhead said.
"He had done a season with Colin Bowe (point-to-point handler), but is so big and raw. He has just taken all this time, it is amazing, so you'd hope he will continue to improve and he has the size and scope of a chaser. He has the pedigree as well (a half-brother to Gold Cup winner Monalee, in the same Barry Maloney colours).
"We tried this race in the past with (Minella) Indo and Monalee so we said we'd give it a go to see would he stay and he duly did. He is in the Albert Bartlett and that's where we're going now."
Of his other runner he added: "I think Hiddenvalley Lake ran well but struggled on the ground, which is tough, and he'll be better for better ground. He was also giving away weight.
"He is also in the Albert Bartlett and is entitled to go, but we'll see what everyone wants to do. Indo was beaten by Allaho in this race a few years ago so it is a good race."
