Samcro made a foot-perfect start to his career over fences on a Down Royal card dominated by his trainer Gordon Elliott.
The Gigginstown House Stud-owned seven-year-old was considered one of the budding superstars of the sport after a novice hurdle season which included victory in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival.
However, defeat in the WKD Hurdle at this fixture 12 months ago set the tone for an underwhelming campaign, which ended not long after Christmas when he was diagnosed with a deep-seated lung infection.
Despite his lengthy absence, Samcro was a 1-3 favourite for the Advanced NI Scaffolding Beginners Chase - and his supporters will have had few moments of concern for the duration of the near two-and-a-half-mile contest.
With Keith Donoghue partnering him for the first time competitively, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding fenced fluently and took over the lead from Play The Part racing down the back straight.
The result was never really in doubt from that point onwards, with Samcro safely negotiating the remaining obstacles and quickening up smartly on the run-in to beat Trappist Monk by 17 lengths.
Elliott - saddling his fourth winner of the afternoon - said: "There is (relief) to be honest as we had a long, hard year with him last year. We have changed a few things with him and he is scoping very good.
"I couldn't have been happier with what he did there. Keith said he only just popped the last three as he wanted to get him round. He said when he gave him a squeeze after the last he picked up and he was gone for those few strides.
"He couldn't have done any more than he did, it was brilliant."
The Cullentra handler confirmed the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse on December 1 as Samcro's intended next target.
He added: "We have some nice novice chasers - a few of them will be taking each other on in the Drinmore. The plan is that he (Samcro) will go straight for the Drinmore.
"Battleoverdoyen could be more of a three-miler and so could Champagne Classic, so we will see what happens.
"I thought it was a good performance. In fairness to Keith it was a big-pressure ride for him and he is a good sub to have (with Jack Kennedy injured)."
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