Rule Supreme scoops shock Hennessy win

Rule Supreme pulled off a surprise victory in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown as he shocked odds-on favourite Beef Or Salmon.

The duo were well clear of Murphy’s Cardinal turning for home but David Casey always looked to be cruising on the Willie Mullins-trained Rule Supreme as Beef Or Salmon came up his inside.

The pair settled down to battle it out but a brilliant leap at the last from Rule Supreme sealed matters and the 11-2 shot romped away to win by 14 lengths.

Beef Or Salmon, the 8-15 market leader, plugged on for second under Paul Carberry with 20-1 shot Cloudy Bays back in third.

British challenger Murphy's Cardinal set out to make the early pace along with Cloudy Bays and the pair went a sensible gallop on what appeared to be quite testing ground.

Both Rule Supreme and Beef Or Salmon were settled in the pack with Casey opting to take the slightly longer outside route on the winner.

Everything seemed to be going to plan for Beef Or Salmon as he started to make his move but he was hampered five fences from home as Pizarro crashed out after making a couple of bad mistakes.

Carberry managed to stay on board but Beef Or Salmon lost a couple of strides.

He got back on terms to have every chance but Rule Supreme – who had looked firmly held by Beef Or Salmon when crashing out at the last here over Christmas - showed the better turn of foot today to power away from the last.

Casey punched the air as he crossed the line as Carberry eased Beef Or Salmon when it became obvious he was fighting a losing battle.