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On an afternoon when Willie Mullins' two hotpots Vautour and Yorkhill both got beaten, the Tom George-trained God's Own travelled over from Britain to claim the feature Grade 1 BoyleSports Champion Chase on the opening day of the 2016 Punchestown Festival.

The eight-year-old, who won the Grade 1 Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown two seasons ago, was sent off at 9/1 when beating 4/9 favourite Vautour by two lengths with Simonsig (6/1) a further length and a quarter back in third.

"A lot of hard work has gone into this horse behind the scenes to get him here. He's not been easy," said George. "We always knew he was better going right-handed. We had to step up his work after Aintree and he was either going to go over the top or improve. Luckily he's improved.

"We're delighted and Punchestown has been a lucky place for us."

Winning rider Paddy Brennan added: "The first mile I had no control and I just let him go. To be fair, he came back then and I filled him up going up the hill. He was awesome today.

"All credit to (Punchestown Racing Manager) Richie Galway because the ground out there is probably the nicest I have ridden on all season. It is great to ride a big one on my home turf. This is where I'm from and I am very proud today.

"I happened to be injured when God's Own won here last time. It is the ups and downs and I am lucky to get back on him."

Vautour's owner Rich Ricci said: "It was probably one race too many. He looked flat to me and never had a good cut at his fences. Ruby (Walsh) said he never made any ground in the air and wasn't himself.

"We gave it a go and maybe if it had been left-handed it would have been a different story. He's probably more suited by 2m 4f or 2m 5f."

Simonsig delighted his trainer Nicky Henderson, who said: "It was a great performance from Simonsig and to think it was only the fourth steeplechase of his life. He would not have seen a fence in anger since he won the Arkle three years ago. It was a good start.

"Barry thought he had half a squeak turning in but it was bound to tell at the end of the day and it did up the run in. It was great because he still has a lot to learn about jumping fences.

"He did a bit work about fortnight ago and I said to Ronnie (Bartlett, owner) that I don't know what will happen, but the engine still works. Jerry McGrath who rides him and Dave who looks after him have done a great job because he is not the easiest. He isn't the soundest either but it is only small things like splints. He is just very fragile."

Yorkhill put in a below-par run when finishing only fourth of the six runners when sent off 4/9 favourite for the Grade 1 Herald Champion Novice Hurdle but 16/1 shot Don't Touch It, trained by in-form Jessica Harrington, was better than ever when getting up to score by half a length in J P McManus's colours.

"He was fantastic," said Harrington. "I always thought he was going to be a better horse on decent ground and he got bogged down at Naas last time. He'd won a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown very easily before that. This was a hell of a step up but he just couldn't jump out of that heavy ground last time.

"We were never going to Cheltenham or Aintree with him and I'm very grateful to J P and Frank (Berry) for allowing me to run him here.

"I did think he'd go well as the good ground would improve him. My horses are running well and he was coming to himself and looked good in his skin.

"He's always been a nice horse and works well. He seems to be tough as old boots and I've done well with Scorpions. I think two miles is his trip for now but I've no idea what he'll do next year. I'll talk to J P and Frank."

Winning rider Barry Geraghty added: "Don't Touch It had a good look going to the last. They went a strong gallop and they died around me and I was left in front a bit sooner than ideal.

"He rallied well and it was a good performance. Jessie thought he had a chance and it was a good race for him, so it was a good call by her."

Gordon Elliott got off the mark for the meeting when 25/1 chance Tempo Mac took the Killashee Handicap Hurdle under Luke Dempsey.

"He's an improving horse and the better the ground, the better he is," said Elliott. "He'll maybe go for the Galway Hurdle then we could have a bit on fun on the Flat with him."

Enda Bolger made it six wins from the last seven runnings of the opening Kildare Hunt Club Fr Sean Breen Memorial Chase for the Ladies Perpetual Cup when the McManus-owned Wish Ye Didn't justified 5/4 favouritism under Nina Carberry.

The mare, who won by nine and a half lengths, was also successful last year and Bolger would love to bid for a three-timer in 2017.

"She's qualified for next year's race now and although she is in on Saturday we may just put her away and build her up for next year," said Bolger. "She's a natural around here and had plenty of help from on top. She's only 15.3 hands, so not like most of mine, but has a great heart and is a real daisycutter - she likes this ground."

Carberry added: "She was class here last year and she did it again today. She loves that better ground. She is just dynamite and loves it here - it really brings out the best in her. She didn't like the heavy ground last time out and the ground today has seen a big difference in her."