Cue Card showed he was back to his brilliant best with a superb display as he regained his crown in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.
Colin Tizzard's stable star has had well-documented troubles since being successful in this race two years ago and was well-beaten by Silviniaco Conti 12 months ago.
However, he showed he was recapturing his form when winning the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby three weeks ago.
Silviniaco Conti made a gallant bid to win the Betfair for a third time as he set a good gallop, but Cue Card (7-4) was never far away.
The writing was on the wall when Cue Card ranged alongside the 5-4 favourite before the four fences in the straight.
Paddy Brennan let the nine-year-old jump his way to the front after the third last and Cue Card drew away to take the prize by seven lengths.
Brennan said: "That was unbelievable. When I rode Imperial Commander I never thought I'd have the chance to sit on another horse as good or even a Gold Cup horse. The way he's done it out there today, he felt like a Gold Cup horse.
"It was great to get back on a good horse at Wetherby and today he was awesome.
"A big win on a big Saturday, I'd like to dedicate this win to everyone in France, in Paris. I was lucky enough to ride some winners in Auteuil and we are all thinking about them."
