Altior resumed winning ways in the Win Bigger On The Betfair Exchange Chase at Newbury.
His 19-race winning run had come to an end last time out against Cyrname in November, when stepped up in trip at Ascot, and then Nicky Henderson's superstar subsequently missed an outing at Christmas with an abscess.
The returning Dynamite Dollars set the pace after Bun Doran fell at the water jump, and plenty looked to have a chance at the third-last in the Grade Two feature.
Nico de Boinville had to get serious on the 1-3 favourite running to the final fence, but on landing his famed turbo kicked in and he sprinted clear to win by three and a quarter lengths, taking the race better known as the Game Spirit for a third time.
Henderson said: "We've had a few hiccups along the way, but we're getting there.
"He was keen early and enjoying himself. He took a blow just before the second-last, but what he really liked was the way he put it to bed - the gears are still there."
Bookmakers trimmed Altior a touch for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, and Henderson added: "He's only in one race (at Cheltenham), so we don't have to question what we are doing."
