Rich Ricci made a special trip to Ireland to watch Vauban race into contention for the 2022 Cheltenham Festival.
The American banker, whose horses have starred at the March meeting over the years, travelled to Leopardstown for the Dublin Racing Festival.
And he had plenty to cheer as Vauban, trained by Willie Mullins, emerged as a major contender for the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
Carrying the famous pink and green spotted silks, the French recruit impressively built on his hurdling debut to run out a three-length winner.
Paul Townend's mount travelled smoothly into the straight and jumped the final flight better than Fil Dor to end that rival's unbeaten run.
Ricci's horse lost out to Pied Piper on his first outing for him, a horse who has since won impressively at Cheltenham.
The owner warned his horse will improve further for his success with the pair set to clash again in March.
"It was brilliant," Ricci said on Racing TV.
"I can't believe the crowd, with the rugby on today and everything else, it's fantastic.
"It's great to be back. The horse is good. When you saw what Pied Piper did I was hopeful we'd come on as well. He was very good there and there's more to come I think. He'll improve from that."
Vauban is 11-4 (from 6-1) with Betfair for the Triumph Hurdle, slightly longer than the odds are offering for favourite Pied Piper (5-2).
Just half-a-length separated them when they met at Punchestown on December 31.
Ricci, who has taken Cheltenham by storm in the past with stars like Faugheen and Douvan, is rebuilding his squad.
With those horses in retirement, along with other Festival heroes Min and Benie Des Dieux, Monkfish was the new big hope.
But the Gold Cup contender, who gave Ricci his only triumph at last year's top fixture, was ruled out through injury.
Ricci and his wife Susannah have enjoyed 18 Cheltenham winners over the years – and since 2012 they have only left empty-handed once in 2019.
As well as Vauban, they have Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle favourite Gaelic Warrior to look forward to, while Mercurey has emerged from the bumper division.
"He's (Gaelic Warrior) supposed to go well, I haven't seen him yet. It's my first time in Ireland in two years," Ricci said.
He added: "We're trying. It's a fantastic game. We have been committed for 15 years now and it seems to be pleasurable so let's keep cracking on."
Vauban was the middle leg of a treble for Willie Mullins in the opening races.
Minella Cocooner began the star-studded card with a front running victory in the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors 50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff Novice Hurdle.
The similarly named Minella Crooner finished second – and bookmakers cut their odds for Cheltenham.
In the Irish Arkle Novice Chase, another top level contest, Blue Lord (5-2) survived stewards' inquiry after crossing the path of Riviere D'Etel.
The runner-up made a costly mistake at the final fence and was coming back at the winner on the run to the line.
