The Paul Nicholls-trained Chapoturgeon ran out a wide-margin winner of the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
The 8-1 chance travelled strongly throughout the two-mile-five-furlong contest and cruised through to take up the running before the turn for home.
Timmy Murphy still had plenty underneath him running down to the final fence and after jumping it in style, he powered up the hill to score decisively from Isn't That Lucky.
Crescent Island was always up with the pace and stuck to his guns well to finish third.
Irish raider Northern Alliance stayed on late in the day to claim fourth, although nothing had a chance with the nine-length winner.
Another leading fancy, Naiad Du Misselot, was never travelling and jumping with any fluency and was eventually pulled up once his chance had gone.
It was a first success at this year's Festival for Murphy and powerhouse owner David Johnson.
Nicholls said: "He's a lovely horse.
"When I bought him I said to David (Johnson) we might win an Arkle with him, but it was fairly obvious to me he wanted a bit further.
"We've had this race in mind for a while.
"He's in the Grand Annual on Friday but he'll definitely not run."
Johnson added: "All credit to Paul. I thought he was a two-miler, Paul said he'd get a trip.
"I listened to him and I'm pleased I did. He was right and I was wrong.
"Paul's laid the horse out for the race and it's all come good."
Murphy said: "He hasn't got much experience. He guessed at the first a little bit, but after that he was very good.
"Paul's done a good job with this lad.
"We knew he was on a favourable mark and it's not often that happens, so a lot of credit goes to him.
"He's in great form and this lad jumped absolutely fabulous."
Jonjo O'Neill, trainer of runner-up Isn't That Lucky, said: "He's ran a blinder.
"He's stayed on well and will probably get further later on."
Crescent Island's trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said of the 25-1 shot: "I thought he'd got it at the top of the hill but never mind.
"It was his first time in blinkers and he's run very well.
"He's only a novice until the end of the season so we will keep going with him."
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook
