Let's Dance successfully defended her crown with a battling performance in the Willis Towers Watson Irish EBF Mares Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old secured this Grade Three prize 12 months ago before going on to to claim Cheltenham Festival glory in the Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
She left Ruby Walsh with a broken leg when falling on her return to action at Punchestown last month, but was the even-money favourite to bounce back in the hands of Paul Townend.
It was not easy viewing for her supporters, with Let's Dance initially appearing reluctant to jump off and she did not travel with much zest for the first half of the two-and-a-half-mile contest.
However, she moved into contention before the home turn and galloped all the way to the line to score by eight lengths.
The front-running Forge Meadow was a clear second and Dawn Shadow finished strongly to deny British challenger Lady Buttons third place.
Thursday was a day to forget for the Mullins team, with multiple Grade One winner Nichols Canyon fatally injured in the Christmas Hurdle and Yorkhill and Djakadam disappointing in the Christmas Chase.
Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: "Yesterday was very disappointing, but you have days like that. At least Yorkhill and Djakadam came back. Nichols Canyon was very hard to take. It's hard to replace a horse like him, but we'll move on.
"After yesterday, confidence wasn't quite as high as it could be (in Let's Dance). She was top rated, she won it last year and she was working well at home.
"She fell on her seasonal debut and we didn't learn much there, but we were hoping if she could do what she does at home she'd win and thank goodness she has.
"It lifts everyone a bit and gets the confidence up. This is the first day that Rich (Ricci, owner) has been here so it's great to get a winner for him.
"It's important for Paul (Townend)). Obviously he had great wins on Total Recall and Faugheen. The last few days haven't been as good, but he won the Grade One on Footpad."
RaceBets gave the winner an 8-1 quote from 10-1 for the OLBG Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
Shane Crimin steered Spider Web to a clear-cut victory in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase.
The Tom Mullins-trained six-year-old had been largely disappointing of late, but was dangerously well handicapped on his hurdle form and was sent off a well-backed 13-2 joint-favourite for the opening contest on the fourth and final day of the Christmas Festival.
Carrying the colours of JP McManus, Spider Web made his move in the back straight and hit the front rounding the home turn.
With the final fence bypassed, several horses attempted to reel him in, but Crimin's mount found plenty for pressure and passed the post seven and a half lengths ahead of Bilko.
The winning trainer said: "He's a good jumper and just when Shane asked him he got there a bit soon.
"I fancied him a little bit the last day but I'd say two miles wasn't his cup of tea. Two-five today was perfect for him.
"He had a couple of good wins as a novice hurdler and then he couldn't find his way last year. He got to a mark of 110 and just couldn't improve off it.
"He's come back a nicer horse this year. Chasing is his game definitely. We'll see if we can find another handicap now."
Dicey O'Reilly was a surprise winner of the Pigsback.com Maiden Hurdle.
Ballyward, not seen since winning a bumper at this meeting a year ago, was the 6-4 favourite to make a successful hurdling debut for Willie Mullins, while Jessica Harrington's Someday and the Joseph O'Brien-trained Mortal were also prominent in the market.
Having finished a well-beaten fourth on his hurdling bow at Cork, Henry de Bromhead's Dicey O'Reilly was a largely unconsidered 18-1 shot in the hands of 5lb claimer Dylan Robinson, but was always prominent and came home best in the straight to score by three and a half lengths.
Mortal filled the runner-up spot ahead of Someday and Ballyward in third and fourth respectively.
De Bromhead said: "I'm delighted with him. It's brilliant to get it for the owners, Brian and Carmel Acheson, who are great supporters.
"He was bought out of a point-to-point. As I seem to keep saying lately, there were a lot of long faces when he got well beaten in Cork.
"We found a problem with him and he seems good since. He showed on the track what he shows us at home.
"He'll go for a novice hurdle now. He's entitled to as that was a good maiden and he won nicely."