Corach Rambler enhanced his claims for the Randox Grand National when becoming the fourth back-to-back winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase.
Lucinda Russell's 6-1 favourite pounced late to land the Cheltenham Festival spoils 12 months ago and was ridden cold once again by Derek Fox.
Always travelling easily for the National-winning pilot, the enigmatic nine-year-old was coaxed into contention as the race began to unfold and was then asked to join the party jumping the last – from where he knuckled down gamely to stay on to the line, holding off Martin Brassil’s Fastorslow to extend the dominance of British-trained horses in this race.
He will now head to Aintree on 15 April and was made the 7-1 joint-favourite for the Merseyside marathon by Betfair, while William Hill go further with Corach Rambler their 6-1 favourite, cut from 10s.
Russell's partner and assistant Peter Scudamore said: "It’s a great thrill. I do appreciate how incredibly fortunate I am and if a bolt of lightning hits me on the way out, I’d die a happy man.
"The funny thing is that his jumping is getting better and he was closer than last year.
"All Derek wants to do is go out there and ride and that is the mark of the man."
Russell added: "It’s such a special pleasure to be here and to watch the horse enjoying himself.
"The track is so stiff but he picked up speed round the corner. It was phenomenal.
"When he hits the front he pulls himself up a bit – it’s just magic that you can have a runner here, let alone a winner.
"He will now go the Aintree for the National. He deserves to have a crack and that’s the next step."
Michael O’Sullivan struck aboard Jazzy Matty in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle to cap a fine opening day for the young rider who earlier took the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with Marine Nationale.
The 18-1 scorer led home an all-Irish one-two-three-four to get Gordon Elliott off the mark for the week.
