Character Building was given the coolest of rides by Jamie Codd to come out on top in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup at Cheltenham.
The 16-1 chance, trained in North Yorkshire by John Quinn, was settled towards the rear in the early stages but made stealthy headway to take closer order as the field came down the hill.
Codd was still sat motionless after jumping the final fence and only had to push out his mount to hold the challenge of Pretty Star by a length.
Character Building was gaining compensation from the Festival two years ago when he was beaten less than a length in the National Hunt Chase.
His triumph also saw some bookmakers promote Quinn's charge into 12-1 co-favouritism for the John Smith's Grand National.
Pretty Star tried his best to claw back ground on the run-in but the winner always had matters in hand.
Newbay Prop stayed on to finish third, while Bowleaze rewarded those who backed him each-way at odds of 16-1.
The well-supported favourite Poker De Sivola travelled nicely into the race but his challenge flattened out in the straight.
Quinn said: "He's a very talented horse but he's been unlucky a few times.
"He doesn't go on heavy ground and he's got there a bit soon a few times but today was brilliant - he found more today.
"We put a tongue-tie on him and I'm not saying it made the difference, but maybe he was messing with his tongue.
"He (Codd) gave him a great ride, he was very brave on him.
"It's easy to say it now, but even if he'd got beaten I would still have said he'd given him the perfect ride.
"It's great to have a winner here. This is where everyone wants to win."
Codd added: "He travelled great and John told me to get him into a lovely rhythm and get him jumping, because he has been a bit tricky in the past.
"Today he has travelled supreme and when I asked him after the last, he picked up all the way to the line - it's fantastic.
"John told me that when I was thinking of going (to the front) to count for 10 seconds, and that was what I did.
"In fairness, the horse is great and he jumped super.
"When you are on a horse like that you can afford to wait.
"Once I turned in, it was just a matter of biding my time."
Pretty Star's trainer Venetia Williams said: "It's been a fantastic day and this horse is a true star.
"He came to me at the start of this season and has been a revelation."
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