Ruby Walsh elicits a great leap from Invitation Only (right) at the last to run down leader Alpha Des Obeaux

Invitation Only delivered Willie Mullins a seventh Goffs Thyestes Chase, and Ruby Walsh a second, when justifying favouritism in Gowran Park's biggest race of the year.

Walsh produced a masterful ride aboard the 4-1 shot whose one and a quarter length win from Alpha Des Obeaux provided owners Andrea and Graham Wylie with a third success in the 3m1f event which they won with On His Own in 2012 and 2014.

After tracking the leaders and hugging the inside, Walsh switched Invitation Only approaching three out and a good leap at the final fence saw him get the better of Alpha Des Obeaux who raced in the front rank throughout.

Walsh, whose previous success in the race came on Djakadam in 2015, said: "Invitation Only travelled really well. He has plenty of pace and he stays. I was in control throughout and that's a rare luxury in a Thyestes. He battled well when I needed him."

Invitation Only: both the Gold Cup and Grand National are now options for him

Mullins, who first won the race with Micko's Dream in 2000, said: "I'm delighted with that. To win a race like this off a big weight means he's a fairly decent horse. The Gold Cup and the Grand National will be options for him.

"We withdrew him from the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles on Sunday as the ground was a bit quick and the rain we were hoping for came in time for today. All his form has been on slow ground.

"I was hoping that he might be a bit ahead of the handicapper stepping up in trip and it worked out well."

Paddy Power reacted positively to the performance, cutting the winner from 50-1 into 25-1 for the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup and from 50-1 into 33-1 for the Randox Health Grand National.

Watch Invitation Only win the Thyestes Chase

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