The odds-on favourite Moscow Flyer dramatically unshipped jockey Barry Geraghty two fences from home in the feature BMW Chase on the opening day of the Irish National Hunt Festival at Punchestown today, handing the race to British raider Flagship Uberalles.
The winner (8/1), who is trained by Philip Hobbs and was bought by owner J P McManus earlier this season, looked set to put up a good fight against Moscow Flyer.
However, the favourite (4/11) hit the fence hard and unseated Geraghty to leave Richard Johnson with only the last to negotiate.
They did that safely and came home six lengths clear of Arctic Copper, who stayed on well having helped to make the pace with the other British raider Latalomne, who tired turning for home after a bold front-running effort.
"Richard (Johnson) said he felt brilliant today - as well as he has been in the past," said Hobbs. "He would have run on from the second last anyway, he always does."
"That's it for this season and I don't think there's really anything else before the Tingle Creek (at Sandown on December 6th) so you probably won't see him until then."
McManus added: "You need a bit of good fortune and I suppose a little bit of luck never goes astray.
"It (Moscow Flyer's fall) was too far out to say what would have happened but Moscow Flyer is a very good champion and we are delighted to be in the winner's enclosure.
Meanwhile, hot favourite Beef Or Salmon looks unlikely to take his chance in the Heineken Gold Cup tomorrow.
Trainer Michael Hourigan is concerned over ground conditions.
"It's more than likely he won't run," Hourigan said. "I've spoken to the jockeys and they say it is on the fast side of good, and they are the men who should know.
"Perhaps if it rains non-stop between now and the race he might still run but, as things stand now, he definitely wouldn't and that would most probably be the end of his season."
"As much as I would like to win the Heineken with him, his career will always be more important and we still have next season to dream about."