Full Time Score stuck his head out gamely in the closing stages to grab the spoils after a cracking finish to the rated chase at Fairyhouse.
There were five in with a shout going down to the last fence in the race, run over just shy of three miles, with Full Time Score touching down upsides Discorama.
There pair settled down for a good scrap on the run-in with Rachael Blackmore getting Full Time Score's head in front in the closing stages.
The Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding, sent to post 10/3 favourite, got home by a length. Smoking Gun finished off well and was just held by head for the runner-up spot.
The lightly raced Full Time Score had won his maiden hurdle and beginners chase last spring.
De Bromhead said:- “He did it nicely and stayed at it well which was nice to see. He’s a fine stamp of a horse and is really coming to himself now. Chris (Jones, owner) has been really patient.
“He seems to have a tendency to want to go right so the first thing on my mind was possibly the Irish National back here. It’s lovely to see him stay so well there and who knows after that.”