Arcalis (left) goes to the front.

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Big-spending Graham Wylie received the first Cheltenham Festival dividend from his multi-million-pound bloodstock investment as 20-1 chance Arcalis stormed up the hill to land the Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle on Tuesday.

Howard Johnson's charge, who had travelled well in mid-division through the early stages, was produced to challenge approaching the last by Graham Lee and streaked clear to win by six lengths from Wild Passion, who just held off Dusky Warbler for the runner-up spot by half a length.

Justified and Chilling Place took the field along as the tapes went up and they were still there with three to jump.

Publican was tanking along just in behind but looked to get a little squeezed for room on the home turn and failed to pick up as quickly as some of his speedier rivals.

The admirable Wild Passion then jumped the final obstacle just in front, but on the run-in he had no answer to the kick of the winner, who showed the sort of pace which enabled him to win last year's John Smith's Cup on the Flat at York.

Software and property tycoon Wylie is often compared to Chelsea supremo Roman Abramovich in the way he has arrived in the sport within the past couple of years with a willingness to spend large amounts of money in order to achieve success.

But the ever-approachable Wylie is a man who remains both modest and universally popular, and Arcalis was welcomed into the winner's enclosure with a warm reception.

"I'm more pleased for Graham and for Howard than myself," he said in typical style. "They have both been working so hard for this.

"We bought Arcalis as a hurdler and he'll probably be a two-mile hurdler next season.

"I have made a big investment, but this is a great thrill and it was just stunning to watch the horse fly over the final flight.

"Graham gave him a fantastic ride and I can relax now and look forward to the rest of the week."

County Durham handler Johnson said the gelding was unlikely to run again over hurdles this season, but added that a possible tilt at another valuable York prize - the Tote Ebor - could be on the cards.

"He is a good horse and I never lost faith in him," said the trainer, celebrating his first Festival succes since Ushers Island took the National Hunt Chase in 1993.

"The ground wasn't right last time and he wasn't right either. There were certain horses in the yard that weren't right, and he was amongst them.

"It's perfect ground out there and he did it well.

"I was in two minds about running him or Astronomic in this race but it looks I chose the right one. Astronomic will run at Aintree now.

"That will be it for the season over hurdles now - in fact most of the horses I run here this week will be turned out afterwards.

"He'll have a nice pick of the summer grass and then we might bring him back for the Ebor. He should get a reasonable weight on the handicap mark he has got now, and a mile and six should suit him, too."

Jockey Lee was also claiming a first Cheltenham Festival success.

"I had a dream passage. Coming into the meeting I was a Festival virgin - and I'm glad I lost my virginity," he beamed.

Noel Meade, again forced to settle for second place as his disappointing Cheltenham Festival record continued, was pleased enough with Wild Passion's performance.

"He ran very well," Meade said. "Fairyhouse may be a bit quick for him and he'll probably go to Punchestown next."

Dusky Warbler's trainer Gary Moore added: "That was a good run and I am pleased with him. I suppose a bit softer ground might have suited him a bit better as it might have taken the edge off the other two. He will probably go to Aintree now.

"I've been half-tempted to put cheekpieces on him - it's not that he's ungenuine, but he sometimes lacks concentration, and they might have made the difference today."