Top Notch brushed away the opposition in the straight to run out an easy winner of the Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot.
Leading before the second-last flight, Nicky Henderson's six-year-old soon put the race to bed and galloped clear.
Smad Place was prominent early on while last year's winner Royal Regatta forced his way into the lead after being slowly away from a standing start.
Nico de Boinville had Top Notch in the perfect position and the 5/2 joint-favourite went on to score by eight lengths from Double Shuffle for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. Frodon was another two and a quarter lengths away in third.
De Boinville said: "He's a legend - what an absolute hero.
"He's all heart and kept finding up the hill.
"He's given me a really nice feeling there."
Henderson said: "If you had a poll of the most popular horse in the place, he would win. Everybody loves him. You could not have a nicer horse.
"He would die for you and he has been like that all his life. I never thought he would jump a fence as they must look enormous to him.
"He is just game, tough and loves it. He came back in fatter than me. These horses are just taking a run.
"He didn't run particularly well when he was third of three (over hurdles) at Aintree (on November 11). It was all well saying it was fine but it was still a little bit disappointing.
"I think this is his perfect trip. One day we might have a peep at three (miles).
"He goes on any ground and any way round. A lot of horses are more talented, but nobody puts more in than he does."
Top Notch was cut to 8/1 for the Ryanair Chase by Sky Bet, who make him a 16/1 chance for the King George on Boxing Day.
"You will struggle to find fault with that performance, and we've had to cut Top Notch for two of his potential targets," said Sky Bet's Michael Shinners.
"Certainly, he looks a prime candidate for the Ryanair Chase given how well he ran in last year's JLT and we've seen interest in him already."
Related horse racing links
