Colin Tizzard© Photo Healy Racing
The Dutchman outstayed his rivals to claim the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock.
Colin Tizzard's charge was sent off a 13-2 chance for the extended three-mile-one-furlong contest and Harry Cobden was positive from the off, helping to set the early gallop alongside Yala Enki.
The pair appeared to go a decent clip, with the well-fancied Rock The Kasbah and Highland Lodge both pulling up at the mid-race stage and plenty of contenders had dropped away coming to the business end.
The Dutchman was still travelling well enough in front, though, as Yala Enki dropped away and while it briefly looked as though Irish raider Fine Rightly might mount a challenge, his run soon petered out in the gruelling conditions.
Cobden's mount kept going all the way to the line, coming home 13 lengths clear of Captain Redbeard, with Hainan third and Yala Enki eventually battling back for fourth.
Assistant trainer Joe Tizzard said: "It had been decided that he would have a wind op before he joined us in the summer.
"He ran well first time out for us behind Sam Spinner, but then stopped quickly next time at Chepstow.
"It's no secret our horses have not been running well and his run that day was the first sign of it.
"We were quietly confident and dad has been keen to get him back over fences.
"We had no worries about trip or ground after the Sam Spinner run.
"He'll go to the Eider now at Newcastle and we'll have to discuss an entry for the National.
"The Eider is a bit further again, but he wasn't stopping today."
