Ahoy Senor galloped back into the Cheltenham Gold Cup picture with a poignant triumph at the track's Festival Trials Day fixture.
Lucinda Russell's stable star rediscovered his best form in the feature Grade 2 Paddy Power Cotswold Chase.
The 6-1 shot seized the initiative from Sounds Russian on the run to the final fence and mastered his battling rival a length and a half. After the one-two for northern stables, Russell paid tribute to her father Peter, who died at the age of 95 on Monday,
He part-owned Ahoy Senor, a dual Grade 1 scorer at Aintree's Grand National meeting who is now 10-1 (from around 50-1) with several firms for the Gold Cup in March.
"It was Dad who set me up, Dad who has given me the desire and determination," the Kinross-based trainer said.
"He would be really proud of today. I'm going to really miss not phoning him going home."
With Derek Fox in the saddle, Ahoy Senor found his stride after hitting a flat spot – and overcame several mistakes in the jumping department. Protektorat, the 5-4 favourite, had no more to give in fourth, one place behind Grand National hero Noble Yeats who did his best work up the final climb.
Emotions also ran high when Editeur Du Gite (14-1) edged a thrilling finish with Edwardstone in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase.
Gary Moore's charge appeared booked for second when his better-fancied opponent overhauled him up the run-in.
But Editeur Du Gite, carrying the colours of the stable's 2014 winner Sire De Grugy, would not be denied and he conjured up a tremendous late rally to get his head back in front.
The trainer's son Josh, who recently retired after suffering life-threatening complications from a fall last April, greeted the winner. It was a first success at the highest level for jockey Niall Houlihan, whose mount was slashed in price to 5-1 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
"It is unreal really," he said. "The horse tries so hard and for you. Everytime a horse came to me he stuck his neck out, especially when he got headed after the last."
Ante-post favourite Energumene is out to 2-1 with several firms to retain his Festival title after he could only muster third place.
