Willie Mullins' star mare Quevega landed the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle at Punchestown for a third successive time on Thursday.
With her recent campaigns restricted to the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and this contest; the eight year old was having just her sixth start in three years and she has won them all.
In extremely testing conditions Whatuthink and Berties Dream took them along, but Quevega and eventual runner-up Voler La Vedette were always going well in behind.
As Ruby Walsh made his move on Quevega rounding the home turn Andrew Lynch followed suit on Colm Murphy's mare, who was so brave in defeat behind Big Buck's at Cheltenham.
That phrase can be used again here, as she travelled well throughout the contest but had no answer to Quevega's class in the straight.
The winning distance was five-and-a-half lengths at the line and the daughter of the increasingly popular stallion Robin Des Champs has now won 10 of her 14 starts over obstacles.
Mullins said: "She's a good mare. Obviously Voler La Vedette was in some form and had great form coming into the race so I was quite worried, but she did the business.
"We keep it simple - one run every six months!
"We've taken her to Auteuil once or twice but I'm not sure, we'll see how she comes out of this but we'll stick to the same programme next year I would think."
Asked if he could be tempted to clash with Big Buck's, Mullins said: "I'll take on Big Buck's at Cheltenham if they can get him entered in the mares' hurdle, is that good enough!
"The programme we follow works fantastic so I'm not looking for diversions.
"We follow a plan and it works well."
Reflecting on the victory, Mullins said: "She did what Ruby asked her and when push came to shove she still had plenty left in the tank.
"She pinged the last - not like here last year - and as we would never have minded taking on the best over two miles with her, we knew she wouldn't be found wanting for a change of gear.
"She won three on the Flat before she ever came to me. She's a real good mare and she showed that today.
"It was a fantastic performance and a great ride by Ruby too.
"She came in season last week but she came out of it quick enough."
Walsh said: "She was very good, we went a good gallop in testing ground but she settled well and jumped really well.
"Off the bend it looked the match that it was, but Voler La Vedette started to fold going to the last hurdle and my mare stayed better.
"I thought Andrew (Lynch) gave her a great ride at Cheltenham and never got into battle until as late as he possibly could, but Quevega's a great mare.
"Her programme suits me.
"Big Buck's is Big Buck's and I'd say the handicapper has it fairly sorted."
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