Moscow Flyer and Rathgar Beau came over the last together

Moscow Flyer had won all 19 of his previous completed starts over fences, including this race last year.

And the 11-year-old was poised to collect his sixth win of the season when he jumped into the lead four out.

But he hit the penultimate fence and Rathgar Beau, runner-up last year, battled up the run-in to squeeze home.

Moscow Flyer had been hoping to put the seal on an excellent season, which had seen him win three Grade One chases, including the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

He was sent off the 1-4 favourite to land his eighth victory in a row and with three fences to go, he looked set to justify such hot favouritism.

But as jockey Barry Geraghty stepped up the pace, Moscow Flyer faltered at the third last and then made a real mess of the penultimate fence to allow Rathgar Beau, ridden by Shay Barry, back into contention.

Moscow Flyer was going to get beaten sometime, but at least the horse is all right and will live to fight another day Trainer Jessica Harrington

The pair were neck and neck over the last and fought it out right to the winning post, with the judge needing several minutes to separate them in a photo finish.

Rathgar Beau's trainer Dusty Sheehy admitted he thought that Moscow Flyer had just got the better of his horse.

"We thought the horse was beaten when we saw a re-run and we would have settled for a dead-heat," said Sheehy, who was celebrating his first Grade One win.

Moscow Flyer's trainer Jessica Harrington was philosophical in defeat.

"You can't demolish the second-last and still win a race," she said.

"He was going to get beaten sometime, but at least the horse is all right and will live to fight another day.

"I was maybe being a bit greedy going to Cheltenham, Aintree and then coming here, but it could be worse, I could be looking at a trailer coming back - I have still got my horse.

"Rathgar Beau was always going to be a threat. What's the point in being disappointed?"