Dancing Shadow finally got off the mark at the 19th attempt in grinding out victory in the Premier League Betting At 188Bet 'Confined' Handicap Chase at Doncaster.
The seven-year-old had been placed in 12 of his previous starts and was rewarded for his consistency with a hard-fought success.
Nick Scholfield perched the Victor Dartnall-trained gelding in last place early on as Settledoutofcourt and Velator set a strong pace.
After making stealthy progress in the long straight, Dancing Shadow led approaching the final fence and pulled away in the closing stages to win by 10 lengths from Fort Worth, who had poached a decent lead from six out.
"To be fair to him, he'd run some good races and had probably been unlucky not to win before," Scholfield said.
"The further he goes the better he is. He just needs a trip as he takes ages to warm up."
Post War (9-2) stuck on doggedly to open his account in the Mobile Casino At 188Bet Maiden Hurdle under Andrew Tinkler.
Making his hurdling debut and returning after a 244-day absence, the Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old jumped ahead at the second-last and went on to score by six lengths from Benny In Milan.
Henderson completed a quick double when the Daryl Jacob-ridden Might Bite (1-2 favourite) made all in the 188bet.co.uk Novices' Chase.
The winner's stablemate Premier Bond was 14 lengths away in second in a five-runner race that saw Primo Blue and Cyrius Moriviere fall, leaving Winner Massagot to finish a remote last of three.
Jacob enjoyed a brace when employing similar tactics on Midnight Jazz (9-4 joint favourite) in the 188Bet Handicap Hurdle.
Ben Case's mare kept finding and was able to hold Big Chief Benny by half a length.
Foundation Man (3-1) followed up Wednesday's victory at Leicester by making all in the Mobile Betting At 188Bet Handicap Chase.
His task was made easier by the first-fence fall of the favourite Future Gilded, but Jonjo O'Neill's gelding did it well in the hands of 10lb claimer Jack Savage to beat Domtaline by four lengths.
Midnight Cowboy (8-1) hung on by a nose from Aliandy after leading before the second-last flight to take the £25 Free Bet At 188Bet Novices' Handicap Hurdle for trainer Alan King.
Ben Pauling's Two Swallows (13-2) overcame a 619-day absence when winning the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Mares' Handicap Hurdle in good style from Lochnell under Tom Cannon.