Put The Kettle On (17-2) carried on trainer Henry De Bromhead's and Ireland's superb start to the 2021 Cheltenham Festival with a battling victory in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.
On St Patrick's Day, under Aidan Coleman the seven-year-old became the first mare in history to win the Grade One feature on the second day at Prestbury Park.
De Bromhead, whose Honeysuckle helped Rachael Blackmore became the first female rider to win the Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the meeting, was at it again - having his third win of this year's Festival and a third victory in the Champion Chase.
Having won the opener, the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle with favourite Bob Olinger under Blackmore, De Bromhead doubled up to deny Willie Mullins's 8-13 favourite Chacun Pour Soi - who could only finish third.
It was the fourth straight win for Irish-trained runners on the second day - Tiger Roll made it five 30 minutes later - to make it an extra special St Patrick's Day. Even if the usual exodus from the Emerald Isle couldn't cheer them on with the Festival going ahead behind-closed-doors due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Last year's winner Politologue was a late absentee, withdrawn on veterinary advice, seemingly leaving Chacun Pour Soi with the chance to provide his trainer Mullins with a first victory in the Champion Chase.
But it didn't work out like that, as Put The Kettle On - along with Rouge Vif - cut out much of the running in the two-mile championship contest.
Rouge Vif faded coming over the last two fences, but as the challengers appeared - including Chacun Pour Soi - on the heels of the leader, Put The Kettle On galloped on determinedly.
The mare, who had won the Arkle Chase over course and distance at last year's Cheltenham Festival, held on by half-a-length from Nube Negra (11-1).
De Bromhead, who has won the Champion Chase with Sizing Europe (2011) and Special Tiara (2017), said: "She's an incredible mare, I'm delighted for the owners, it's just brilliant, the stuff you dream about.
"She's so tough and Aidan was brilliant on her. He really asked her at the last three and that probably won him the race.
"I don't know what it is about this place. A couple of weeks ago she just wasn't herself, but we freshened her up as much as we could and she seemed much better. When she arrived her she was what we expected. She's a bit mad actually.
"I have to congratulate everyone at home, but especially Andrea who looks after her and puts up with her antics every day, it's special for her. She's quite wild at home, she's a great character.
"Mid-February I was probably leaning towards running in the Mares' Chase, but we all discussed it and I looked at the stats for the previous year's Arkle winner in this and they are ridiculous so we said we'd give it a lash and see.
"Winning the Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase with mares especially, it's the stuff of dreams. I'm just delighted."
It was a first victory in the Champion Chase for jockey Coleman, who said: "I jumped off to get a good start and wasn't really sure where I'd sit as this was her biggest test, and I didn't know if she'd be quick enough to be bang there.
"She was very good over the first three or four fences, and after I'd jumped four I was fairly confident that I'd stay there until at least turning in and then what will be will be.
"I had the partner with the attitude and ability. It's fantastic.
"I don't know what is about Cheltenham with her as this is the only place I've ridden her. As long as she can come here a couple of times a year and do the business we're happy enough!
"If I could bottle what she has I wouldn't have to ride again - I'd sell it, and be a rich man."
He added: "These championship races - the Champion Hurdle, the Champion Chase, the Stayers' Hurdle and the Gold Cup - are the races you grow up watching.
"If you're lucky enough to ride in them it's fantastic, and if you're lucky enough to win one it's even better.
"It was very special - pulling up was nearly emotional, because we all love these horses and we do it day in, day out for them.
"When you ride something that loves it and wants to win as much as this, it's just a pleasure.
"It brings you back to your roots and why you wanted to get into the game - and that's the love of the animal."
