Singlefarmpayment received introductory quotes for the RSA Chase in March after gaining his first win over fences in the Jockey Club Ownership Syndicate Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.
Having finished in the frame in each of his two previous tries over the larger obstacles, the six-year-old struck at the third time of asking in the extended three-mile-one affair, which was claimed 12 months ago by subsequent RSA winner Blaklion.
Always travelling well in the hands of Adrian Heskin behind the early pacesetting pair of Emerging Force and Relentless Dreamer, the 9-2 shot moved into contention rounding the home turn on the run down to the second-last.
After jumping the final fence with a clear advantage, the Tom George-trained gelding stayed on strongly up the hill to deny Arpege D'Alene by two and a half lengths, earning tags for the Festival contest of 33-1 and 25-1 with Paddy Power and Boylesports respectively.
George said of the former Tom Lacey inmate: "He has done it well. He has taken a bit to get to know as he is quite a highly-strung horse. Adrian Heskin has got to know him well and that is the advantage of having one rider on him all the time.
"We don't do much with fast work with him. He has not worked in six weeks, he just canters every day. He has got into a good routine at home now.
"He was always going to be a better chaser than hurdler. I think the most important thing today was that he has probably improved mentally."