Top Notch (2-1) came out on top of a thrilling three-way finish to land the the Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle at Aintree Racecourse.
Nicky Henderson's eight-year-old is set to return to chasing in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon next month - but he made a winning return over the smaller obstacles at the home of the Randox Health Grand National.
Under Nico de Boinville the admirable Top Notch had led for much of the way but looked to be set to have to settle for a place as first Vision Des Flos and 2-1 favourite Roksana challenged.
Vision Des Flos got his head in front over the final flight, but was challenged on either side by Top Notch and Roksana on the run to the line.
But ti was Top Notch who hit the front where it mattered and scored by a neck from Roksana with Vision Des Flos the same distance back in third.
The Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned star will now return to the bigger obstacles at Huntingdon on December 8 and a delighted de Boinville, in the saddle in place of the regular partner Daryl Jacob, said: "I am very aware he is Daryl's (Jacob) favourite horse so I have to look after him.
"Since he was a juvenile he has never missed a day. It was just nice to get a winner on him.
"He just took a blow between two out and the last. He missed the last slightly, but he battled his way back to the front.
"I am told it will be the Peterborough (Chase) next."
Skandiburg (100-30) ran out a battling winner of the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Qualifier beating Diomede Des Mottes.
Olly Murphy's five-year-old scored by a length and three-quarters under Aidan Coleman after a great battle with the Dan Skelton-trained 2-1 favourite.
The pair pulled 17 lengths clear of long-time leader Rosy World, who was back in third.
"He's a proper tough, little horse, a yard favourite. He's improved from last year and is clearly going the right way," said Murphy's assistant, Ger Tumulty.
It's rare that triple Grand National-winning owner Trevor Hemmings leaves Aintree without a winner.
And Champagne Mystery (6-1) made sure he was back in the winner's enclosure on Merseyside he knows so well with an impressive victory in the opener, the Premier League Betting At Virgin Bet Chase.
The Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old led from start to finish in the 2m4f contest over the Mildmay fences to make a winning debut over the bigger obstacles.
Under Nico De Boinville the gelded son of Shantou came home an impressive 11-length winner and looks to have a good future over fences.
The Evan Williams-trained 11-4 favourite Present Value plugged on to be second under Adam Wedge.
Owner Hemmings said: "It was lovely. I enjoyed that. It wasn't a surprise because I said before that he was alright and I think you'll find he will today.
"But don't ask me what we will do next (with him)."
Welsh trainer Williams managed to land a winner at Aintree when The Last Day () ran out an excellent winner of the Download The App At Virgin Bet Handicap Chase.
The seven-year-old always travelled well, under Adam Wedge, just off the lead set by Theflyingportrait and he came through to lead over the second last fence and quickly move clear.
As he did throughout the two-mile contest he jumped last well and went to score by an impressive five lengths from the Tom George-trained course and distance winner Baby King (9-1), with Wishfull Dreaming (14-1) a further half a length back in third,
Williams was delighted with the performance, having had to pull him of a race at Ascot last weekend due to a high temperature.
The Everton FC-supporting handler said: "It was a great performance. He travelled well and jumped well. He is a horse who has improved a lot for the summer, physically. He came back looking big and well. We took him out of Ascot last week as he had a bit of a temperature on the morning of the race. There was no reasons for it, he just a bit of temperature for some reason. He has been fine this week, he has had a quite week and came here fresh and well.
"There is a good handicap in Ascot in a few week's time so I would imagine we would go there and take our chance.
"He is a two-miler and very soft ground."
