Kitzbuhel roared back to top form with an exhibition of jumping from the front before edging out Final Demand in a tremendous finish to the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Trained by Willie Mullins, the six-year-old had excelled at Kempton when winning the Kauto Star Novices' Chase on Boxing Day, but was somewhat underrated in the betting at 11-1 after falling at Sandown in the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase.
Having come under scrutiny for his ride on No Drama This End in the opening Turners Novices' Chase, Harry Cobden - partnering the grey for the first time - was at his brilliant best, leaving nothing to chance, finding some spectacular leaps from his mount as he led the field from start to finish.
The challengers loomed heading for home, none more so than stablemate Final Demand, who also showcased his very best to push the winner hard in the closing stages, with only three quarters of a length separating the pair at the end of three miles.
Salver finished third for Gary and Josh Moore at 25-1, but jumping errors saw Gordon Elliott's 9-4 favourite Romeo Coolio play no part in proceedings on his first start at three miles.
Mullins said: "It was a very brave performance from Kitzbuhel to jump out and make all.
"Heading to the last and looking at Paul (Townend, on Final Demand) I thought he had him covered, but by the line Kitzbuhel was going away again.
"When you have a grey horse who loves to make the running, there's been some brilliant ones down the years and they build up a big following. It's been a lucky colour for me, my first winner as a trainer was a grey and as an owner.
"It's great for Joe and Marie (Donnelly) given the bad luck they've had with State Man and Sir Gino this year, to have a third one up to winning Grade Ones is great.
"At least he was back to himself as his previous run at Sandown he didn't jump out and he didn't look himself in the parade ring, but Harry said he knew going to the start he was in great form.
"Given what he did at Kempton, which is right-handed and flat, to come here and down left on a left-handed undulating course speaks volumes.
"You'd have to be looking at the Gold Cup, but given how he whizzed around Kempton at Christmas the King George will definitely be on his agenda."
Josh Moore was proud of Salver's effort - but was left to wonder what might have been had more rain fallen overnight.
"I'm delighted with the run, it's just a shame the ground has dried out," he said. "He can run on that ground, but it slows the others down when it's soft ground. He jumped fantastic and ran fantastic and stays and stays and stays.
"We can look at those graded races first early next season - a Charlie Hall or a Betfair Chase might suit him if he gets slow ground.
"He's had a hard race today, so we won't be in a rush to run him again this season, but we won't confirm anything today and we'll just see how he is."
