Refinement benefited from a typically proficient Tony McCoy ride to spring a minor surprise in an eventful renewal of the at Punchestown.
McCoy punched the 16-1 mare into the lead after the final flight and the Jonjo O'Neill-trained runner powered away to record a two-and-a-half-length verdict over 20-1 chance Powerstation.
United claimed third at 16-1, but Brave Inca disappointed on his first attempt at three miles and Mighty Man appeared to go wrong on the run to the penultimate flight.
Punjabi gained a deserved Grade One success in the - but had to fight hard to see off the persistent challenge of Financial Reward.
Nicky Henderson's 6-4 favourite acquitted himself with great credit at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals but ultimately came up short behind impressive youngster Katchit.
Taking advantage of the absence of Alan King's star, Punjabi was always travelling smoothly and ranged upsides the eventual runner-up on the approach to the penultimate flight.
Despite looking to be going best, Fitzgerald held on to his mount until asking for everything soon after the last.
Financial Reward (8-1) fought bravely on the far rail but Punjabi was always just winning the argument and passed the post with three-quarters of a length to spare.
Patrick Flynn's 5-1 shot Bahrain Storm stuck on well to claim third.
Spot Thedifference maintained Enda Bolger's exceptional record in the with a thrilling victory in the Avon Ri Corporate Leisure Resort-sponsored marathon.
Bolger was winning the unique contest for the 10th successive year as his popular 14-year-old gelding proved too streetwise for his opponents to justify favouritism at 7-4.
Also successful here in 2004, Spot Thedifference gradually moved into contention and swung for home with a narrow lead over eventual third Star Performance.
Pricking his ears before the last, the JP McManus-owned gelding jumped it safely and kept up the gallop to see off stablemate and 9-1 chance Freneys Well by four and a half lengths to the delight of the packed grandstand.
Graham Lee always seemed to be travelling well aboard the imposing eight-year-old and the pair took off just in front as four runners held chances at the penultimate fence.
Schindlers Hunt had loomed large on the stands side but made a serious error at that point, which handed Murphy's 5-1 winner a definite advantage.
He jumped the last in good style and kept up the gallop to repel fellow British raider Royal Shakespeare (7-1) by three and a half lengths.
Gemini Lucy was sent off the 9-4 favourite for the two-mile Grade One contest, but unshipped Andrew Leigh at the first fence.
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