Trainer Steve Gollings played his ace in unfavourable circumstances at Newcastle today and the gamble paid off as Chancy Charly underlined his potential.
Worries over the state of the ground had led Gollings to warn that the seven-year-old would not run if there was overnight rain.
In the event the track was hit by several showers but the trainer took a chance and allowed Chancy Charly to take part in the Northern Racing Novices' Chase.
He need not have worried as the 4-5 chance, a winner of three point-to-points in Ireland, jumped soundly and came home nine lengths clear of Finnure in the hands of Seamus Durack.
"I was a bit worried especially after I heard Mick Easterby talking about how bad the ground was at the last meeting," said Gollings.
"But the way it's turned out I'm delighted I let him take his chance in the end.
"He's going to be some horse when he's really fit. I have a severe interval gallop but he's got such a slow metabolism that it takes a long time to get him spot on.
"He ran much better than I expected when third behind Zafarabad and Paris Pike and that was on a track that didn't really suit him.
"I had been considering running him in the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot next week but I don't want to overface him as he's still a big baby. He won't be going to Cheltenham as he's too inexperienced."
Durack was the man in the saddle again as Black Bullet broke his duck over fences in the Town & Country Novices' Chase.
The 10-11 chance was a little ponderous over the final fences but never looked as if he would come down and came home four lengths clear of What A Fuss.
"This horse was schooling magnificently at home before he made his chasing debut and I thought he would be capable of tackling the Arkle," said trainer Andy Streeter.
"But he's not as good that and he has had a bad fall. Clear rounds are still the important thing with him."
Christy McGrath secured the first success of his riding career when he steered home Brancepeth Belle in the Brandling House Conditional Jockeys' Selling Handicap Hurdle.
McGrath, 22, from County Clare, joined the winner's trainer Norman Mason about three months ago. He gained experience riding in point-to-points and worked for Aidan O'Brien.
Cinder Hills (11-10) delighted favourite backers when obliging in the Tyne Bridge Handicap Hurdle.
But Mick Easterby's charge was required to work hard for the success, being driven out by Russ Garritty to deny Gunner Marc by three-parts of a length.
The race was marred by the death of Aide Memoire - the 11-year-old mare being put down after breaking a leg.
Santa Jet shrugged off 3lb overweight carried by his conditional rider Niall Hannity to overturn the well-backed favourite Foreshore Man in the Gosforth Handicap Chase.
Easterby and Garritty completed a short-priced double when Snugfit Rosie landed the St Modwen Novices' Hurdle.
The filly quickened in good style to easily defeat Golden Chimes and follow up her victory over course and distance last month on her jumping debut.
