Ruby Walsh overcame an injury scare to partner Gungadu to victory in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton.
The Irish jockey had been kicked in the back by a faller when winning the previous race on Oslot but beat the pain barrier to take the feature race.
The 4-1 favourite, trained by Paul Nicholls, held French raider Kelami (12-1) by three-quarters of a length. The winner?s stablemate Le Volfoni was another four lengths back in third.
Last year?s winner Simon was the first away but Dream Alliance went on at the second fence where the strongly-fancied Ungaro came down.
Dream Alliance kept up a handy lead early into the second circuit where Bagan was pulled up after the 11th fence.
Gungadu took a narrow advantage five out after Dream Alliance had faded tamely away and Black Hills looked the main challenger as they turned for home with three fences to jump.
But it was Kelami and Mick Fitzgerald who turned out to be the most serious threat over the last two fences.
However, Gungadu dug deep to give Nicholls his first success in the race and Walsh his second after Marlborough in 2004.
Nicholls said: ?This horse is much better when he is fresh and it is a great effort from top weight. I didn?t think he was badly handicapped, I just thought he wasn?t very well off with Burntoakboy.
?He won?t go to the Gold Cup, he needs six weeks off, and he might be one for Aintree.?
Walsh added: ?He wasn?t doing a lot in front but was always just holding them off.?
(C) PA Sport
