Al Ferof made a terrific return from a long absence by winning back-to-back renewals of the Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot.
Despite having been off the track for 254 days, the Paul Nicholls-trained grey banished any notion of rustiness with a formidable effort under Ruby Walsh.
Al Ferof only had to face one rival 12 months, but a much stronger cast had this season been lured to the Grade Two over two miles and three furlongs.
Rajdhani Express, Bury Parade and the eventual winner jousted for the early advantage before the former forged clear.
Nicky Henderson's inmate put in some spectacular leaps, but Al Ferof travelled with far greater fluency towards the penultimate fence, at which point Walsh went for the jugular aboard the 5-2 favourite.
Somersby overcame a mistake at the last to take second spot, but he was comprehensively beaten by seven lengths.
Wishfull Thinking, winner of the Old Roan Chase at Aintree, was never really a factor until he made marginal late gains in the hands of Tom O'Brien.
Meanwhile, ante-post Champion Hurdle favourite Faugheen toyed with his rivals in the Coral Hurdle.
Walsh's partner made most of the running aboard the Cheltenham Festival-winning six-year-old, who is now unbeaten in seven starts.
Walsh was in no particular hurry at the head of affairs, but his companion largely jumped accurately and with economic purpose.
Blue Fashion at least attempted to make a race of it, but a swift jump at the last from the 1-4 favourite confirmed the inevitable.
Faugheen won by a carefree three and three-quarters of a length to give Walsh and trainer Willie Mullins back-to-back victories in the Grade Two after Annie Power had struck 12 months ago.
