IRELAND notched a first Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup triumph for 32 years when Be My Royal provided a 25-1 shock in the big Newbury handicap on Saturday.

The Willie Mullins-trained gelding became the first horse from the Emerald Isle to score since Bright Highway as he found the best turn of foot from seven horses still holding a chance at the final fence.

David Casey brought Be My Royal with a steady run up the far side and the combination seized their chance when another Irish challenger, Harbour Pilot, blundered away his chance at the last.

Gingembre failed gallantly to go one better than his second two years ago and, with Harbour Pilot holding on for third, Whitenzo stayed on for fourth after himself making a serious error when appearing to be going best of all.

Sun Alliance Chase hero Hussard Collonges tried to make all the running and, to his credit, was still bang in contention at the last, while Gunther McBride stayed handy but was a spent force over the last two fences.

Carbury Cross stepped up on recent efforts only to fade close to home, while Marlborough ran on from the rear without ever threatening to win.

Incredibly, from eight outings last season Be My Royal only completed once, but Mullins has transformed him this term into a well-handicapped and safe jumper, who, on his previous start, had landed the Cork National.

A delighted Casey said afterwards: "I didn't give myself much chance turning in, but he kept staying on and between the last two fences I thought I'd get there."

Casey dismounted Be My Royal after the line and said: "I thought he'd gone lame but he must have knocked himself and was soon sound again."

The favourite Bounce Back blew away his chance with a mistake at the cross fence, five out, while Grand National winner Bindaree was never going at any stage.

Nicky Henderson's decision to bring top chaser Bacchanal back over hurdles paid rich dividends when the chestnut landed the Cantor Sport Long Distance Hurdle in the hands of Mick Fitzgerald.

Veteran Deano's Beeno started a warm favourite but could never adopt the forcing tactics we associate with him.

Bacchanal turned for home in front and gradually drew away to put himself in line for a return to fences in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, though Henderson has left the door ajar to run him in more of the top staying races over hurdles.

November was not a memorable month for French raiders to these shores, notwithstanding the victory of Baracouda at Ascot. But Jair Du Cochet changed Guillaume Macaire's luck when bounding away to land the Fulke Walwyn Novices' Chase and Never provided one of the most popular successes at the meeting when trouncing his rivals in the Gerry Feilden Hurdle.

Showing marked improvement from last winter, he had owner Sir Peter O'Sullevan and trainer Francois Doumen dreaming of even richer pickings later in the season, including a possible tilt at what looks the most wide-open Champion Hurdle in years.