Annacotty put up a brave effort to repeat last year's victory in the freebets.com Trophy Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
Now with Alan King after being at Martin Keighley's stable for his win in 2015, the eight-year-old came out on top after an epic battle with Tenor Nivernais.
The latter set out to make all and had all his rivals at full stretch with the well-fancied Champagne West pulled up after making a bad mistake, while Irish Cavalier jumped erratically before crying enough.
However, Annacotty (13-2) was always within touching distance and came to lead before the final fence under Ian Popham.
Tenor Nivernais fought back but was a length and a quarter down at the line to give Alan King a notable double following the victory of Smad Place in the feature BetBright Trial Chase.
Lost Legend was another 31 lengths away in third.
Popham said: "I almost got there too soon.
"He came here really fresh and well and has put in another fine performance."
King said: "He was in good form. He was fresh and well. The rain that came last night was certainly in this fella's favour.
"He probably didn't run well on his second run for me at the December meeting, but we left him alone after that and the last two weeks he has just been carting up the gallop.
"I didn't think we'd get him any better than today, but he does need things to go his own way.
"I'd have thought he'll come back here to run in one of the handicaps at the Festival."
