Grey Abbey (7-2) ran his rivals ragged for a superb victory in the Betfair Bowl at Aintree today.
The gallant 11-year-old was at the head of affairs from the first fence in the Grade Two contest and after pinging the final two obstacles, came home 12 lengths clear of the well-backed First Gold.
Crystal D'Ainay finished an honourable third, a further 17 lengths away, on his British chasing debut.
First Gold was sent off the 3-1 favourite, but his jumping was put under pressure by Grey Abbey, who also showed the greater turn for foot on entering the home straight.
Graham Lee got a sweet tune out of the Howard Johnson-trained winner, who left his fifth placing in the Gold Cup behind him when striding away for an easy success.
Our Vic was disappointing again when pulled up midway through the race, while Sir Rembrandt was tailed off down the back on the final circuit.
Lee was pleased to bounce back quickly after taking a heavy fall from Gralmano in the first.
He joked: "I feel better now! He's an amazing old horse. For him to go that gallop and keep it up, he's a joy to ride. He's been very good to me."
Johnson had thought about retiring Grey Abbey after he suffered a recurring joint problem, but owner Norman Furness revealed fresh plans.
Furness said: "He's going to stay in training next year and he will probably go for the Scottish National (on Saturday week) depending on how he comes out of the race.
"We were expecting a good run but you never know what's going to happen in a race like that."
Later in the day, Sam Waley-Cohen and his father Robert teamed up for another big-race success with Katarino in the John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase.
The family were on the mark with Liberthine at the Cheltenham Festival and they followed up in style with the 100-30 favourite in the amateurs' event over the big Grand National fences.
Sam Waley-Cohen just pushed him out to hold Caught At Dawn by a length and a half, with Montifault a further 15 lengths away third.
PA