First Flow stretched his winning run to six with a fantastic display to win the Matchbook Betting Exchange Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
This was the biggest of the lot, and a first Grade One prize for trainer Kim Bailey since Master Oats' Cheltenham Gold Cup win in 1995.
David Bass was positive aboard the 14/1 winner, rushing him up alongside the leader and 11/8 favourite Politologue down the back straight.
It became a high speed duel from there and one First Flow was winning from the turn in, powering to the line to score by seven lengths.
"It means a lot. I'm so pleased this horse has given me a first Grade One win. Everyone loves him at home. His owner has been loyal to Kim, me and the whole yard and I can't believe it," a jubilant Bass told ITV Racing.
"I couldn't believe how easily I was going in behind Politologue. I didn't plan to take him on that early but down the hill he pinged the fences. The horse really deserved this."
Bailey was quick to praise Bass, saying: “You have to hand it to that guy on top, who knows him so well. We realised we couldn’t take on Politologue for the lead from the start, but David took the bull by the horns.
“I was absolutely staggered, to be honest, because we both felt the ground wasn’t going to be soft enough and that if he had finished third he would have done very well. I admit I didn’t expect him to improve like that.
“He had a hard race at Wetherby (Castleford Chase on December 27), but we gave him an easy week, and that’s what’s happened. I’m so pleased for the owner Tony Solomons, who is my longest-standing patron. He’s 92 and has been with me for 40 years, showing that loyalty is a great thing in life.”
The Champion Chase obviously enters the equation for First Flow, and Bailey added: “Regarding Cheltenham, he has only been there once before when he ran in the Supreme (of 2018), but I wouldn’t mind going back there.
“If it’s soft or good to soft at Cheltenham you would have to think about the Queen Mother very seriously.
“Getting back to David, I had an irate punter ring up and criticise him to me, and I am so pleased that he has had to eat his words, because David got some of the best jumps out of the horse I have ever seen from him. He (Bass) never lets us down – he’s got better and better, and adores the horses.”
He added: “I never thought (First Flow) would get to Grade One level, but I feel we should give it (Cheltenham) a go. We have eight to 10 pounds to find, but he is obviously improving. It’s quite an emotional moment. This horse can’t school over fences at home and jumps over tractor tyres.”
