Gallant grey Al Dancer triumphed at Wincanton with a bold front-running performance.
The 25-1 chance, ridden by Callum Pritchard, won the Badger Beer Chase under top weight of 12 stone at the age of 11 for trainer Sam Thomas.
“Every trainer needs a horse like that and he’s just unbelievable,” said Thomas after his horse was left alone in front following Remastered’s fall.
Al Dancer is owned by Welsh businessman Dai Walters, who survived a helicopter crash in 2022.
It was the gelding’s 10th victory from 31 races – and the sixth time from eight he has won his opening race of the season.
Nicholls thrives at Wincanton; 1,000th win for Russell
Trainer Paul Nicholls enjoyed five winners, with Swingin Safari landing the concluding Bumper after Rubaud (11-10f) held off Brentford Hope to win the three-runner Elite Hurdle.
Nicholls and jockey Harry Cobden also won the opening novices’ hurdle with Sorceleur (2-9f).
The pair teamed up again with Larchmont Lass (11-4f) in the mares’ handicap hurdle run in memory of Nicholls’ good friend Richard Barber, after Beau Balko (9-2) took the handicap chase under Ben Bromley.
King Turgeon, partnered by Jack Tudor for David Pipe, secured the Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree over the Grand National fences.
Lord Melbourne won Doncaster’s November Handicap at 14-1 for trainer Ralph Beckett and rider Jack Doughty.
Britain’s oldest jockey, 57-year-old Jimmy Quinn, was second to last of the 22 finishers on Dark Moon Rising, ending a career which yielded more than 1,500 winners.
Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell secured her 1,000th career win with Starlyte ridden to victory at Kelso by Patrick Wadge.
