Former Grand National hero Pineau De Re rolled back the years to land the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at Carlisle.
Former Grand National hero Pineau De Re rolled back the years to land the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at Carlisle.
Dr Richard Newland's 2014 Aintree victor was never far away from the principals under Richard Johnson, moving with some menace before taking over at the head of affairs with his ears pricked from Native Optimist two from home.
Galloping on strongly, the 12-year-old had four lengths to spare at the line over Quel Elite, to become the first horse to win another race after the National since Bindaree in the Welsh National of 2003.
He was also making a swift return to action, having only got as far as the second fence in the Becher Chase at Aintree last weekend.
Proud owner John Provan said: "It was good to get it (another win after the National) on the board, a bit more history with the horse.
"Since we got him we thought he acted a bit younger than his years, he felt more like an eight-year-old as a 10-year-old, so we're hoping we've still got a lot to come from this horse.
"I think he could be back in the National and hopefully run a big race there. It would be exciting just to go back again.
"He's on a mark over fences of 141, which would be a nice mark for the National, so we'll try to look after that mark if we can.
" We'll possibly run him over hurdles until then, he might have a short break now and then bring him back to go to Cheltenham and then the National."
Johnson - who rode Balthazar King to be second to Pineau De Re in the National - initiated a treble in his relentless pursuit of a first title with victory for Jonjo O'Neill on Suit Yourself (100-30) in the Casino And Games At 188Bet Novices' Hurdle.
The Johnson hat-trick came with Billy Billy (11-10 favourite) in the bumper for Irish trainer Stuart Crawford.
Tullamore Dew came home in splendid isolation in the 188Bet Veterans' Handicap Chase.
Sent off the 12-1 outsider of the five runners, the soon-to-be 14-year-old ranged up alongside long-time leader Renard with four to jump and the pair had it between them from there.
Joe Colliver kicked on after the third-last and Micky Hammond's charge looked a fresh horse as he bounded to a 12-length triumph from Golden Chieftain.
The winner was taking his record for Hammond to two wins from three starts, and the Middleham handler told Racing UK: " We've got him in the twilight of his career and he's a joy to have.
"We've been exceptionally lucky with him. The Gifford family did tremendously well with him, I believe he ran at five consecutive Cheltenham Festivals which is great credit to them and the horse.
"He was pulled up Lingfield a year ago today with a fibriliating heart, he came up to us and our vet did really well with him and was confident he could get the heart right, so full credit to him. He was a different horse straight away.
"The final of this series at Sandown on January 2 is the objective, it has been for a while.
"Obviously the handicapper will have his say, but hopefully common sense will prevail as he's nearly 14 and if we get a a decent enough mark we will be there."
Hammond completed a great day as Verko (9-4) took the Asian Handicaps At 188Bet Handicap Chase in fine style in the hands of 7lb claimer Finian O'Toole.
Subtle Grey put up a performance full of guts in the 188Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase for red-hot jockey Wayne Hutchinson.
Hutchinson, who had a four-timer at Doncaster on Saturday and won the Hennessy Gold Cup on Smad Place, had the Donald McCain-trained winner out in front from flag-fall.
Favourite Morning Royalty challenged at the last, but Hutchinson was in no mood to be passed and the partnership saw it out by a length and a half.
McCain said of his 7-4 winner: " He's a huge horse, enormous. He's come on for Bangor and I think he might come on a touch for this as well.
"He's a three-miler in the making, very much so. Hopefully we'll have him around for a good while."
McCain was hit by the loss of horses owned by Paul and Clare Rooney from his yard in October, but is delighted with the way his stable has reacted.
He added: "They are running well, some are what they are, but they are running consistently well.
"Everyone knows what happened, but we're happy and the team is working very hard.
"I've got a lot of young horses around the place and I must say I'm enjoying the job more in the last few weeks than I have done for the last couple of years."
Western Rules atoned for an odds-on reverse when last seen to come out on top in the Bet Now At 188Bet 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.
Trainer Nicky Richards said of the 4-9 winner: "He's a good looking horse and he's got a great attitude to life.
"When you're beaten at 1-4 you're bound to be a bit disappointed and scratching your head, but as it's turned out the horse that beat him went to Newcastle to run a good race in a very decent novice hurdle and probably doesn't look too bad.
"I think as he gets a bit of practice he'll be lovely, he jumped the last two beautifully, he needed a good one at the last because Richard (Johnson, on Bronco Billy) was just starting to make his challenge."