Out Sam is set to be part of Warren Greatrex's Cheltenham Festival squad after getting off the mark over fences at Catterick.
The Upper Lambourn-based trainer went to £145,000 to snap up the seven-year-old out of Nicky Henderson's yard last May and although he made a disappointing start for new connections at Carlisle, he was not disgraced when third on his chasing bow in Grade Two company at Ascot.
Down in class to beat just a couple of opponents in the racinguk.com Novices' Chase, Out Sam was not much of a betting proposition as the 1-4 favourite, but the race served its purpose for Greatrex, who is looking forward to testing his charge in a higher grade this spring.
Gavin Sheehan sent the prohibitively-priced market leader straight to the leader and after Major Ivan fell when seemingly beaten two fences from the finish, Out Sam was able to coast home to beat the only other runner, Halcyon Days, by some 80 lengths.
Greatrex, who broke his Festival duck with World Hurdle hero Cole Harden last March, was making his first ever visit to Catterick, while it was a 50th winner of the season for Sheehan.
"This was the plan - to give him a nice, clear run and it's nice to see him get his head in front," said Greatrex.
"We ran him in a Grade Two first time (over fences) and there weren't a lot of opportunities for him.
"When you're a 1-4 favourite it's not ideal and he had to make the running, which doesn't really suit him either.
"He'll be a better horse on better ground in a better race and he's a really good jumper.
"I've given him entries in the RSA Chase and the JLT at Cheltenham and he'll run somewhere again before then.
"We might consider a handicap at Cheltenham as well, but we'll just see how things work out.
"Today will do him the world of good and h opefully he'll go on to bigger and better things."
Greatrex also saddled the odds-on favourite in the opening yorkshire-outdoors.co.uk Novices' Hurdle, but his previously unbeaten gelding Vinciaettis had to make do with the runner-up spot behind the tremendously game Point The Way (7-4).
Danny Cook appeared keen to ensure the two-mile-three-furlong heat was a good test and after making the running, he saw off his main rival by five lengths.
Winning trainer Brian Ellison said: " He jumps well and went a nice gallop all the way.
"We didn't want to hang around and we wanted to test the other one's jumping, that was the plan.
"He'll stay three miles, but we're in no rush to step him up.
"We'll probably try to find an EBF novice hurdle for him to try to qualify him for the Final at Sandown."
Former amateur and conditional jockey Sam Drake made a dream start to her training career as Star Presenter (9-2) landed the Scorton Handicap Chase under Jonathan England.
Drake who has taken over the licence from her father, Richard, said: "I can't believe it, to be honest.
"He won here last time but he doesn't really like this tacky ground and was up in grade.
"Johnny (England) bought the horse for £1,250 and that's two he's won now, so maybe he can be a bloodstock agent when he gives up the riding!
"We bought him as a summer horse really, with his preference for better ground, so we'll see what we can find for him."
Auldthunder (10-1) bounced back to form in the catterickbridge.co.uk Handicap Chase.
The nine-year-old finished out with the washing on his latest appearance at the North Yorkshire circuit and having been pulled up on his two starts previous, he had plenty to prove.
Micky Hammond's charge looked to be enjoying his afternoon from a long way out on this occasion, though, and struck gold by eight lengths.
"He was probably going to win here just over a year ago (December 2014) when he unseated me at the last. We haven't been the best of friends since then but we've made up today," said winning jockey Joe Colliver.
Tomkevi (9-2) claimed his second win since joining Rebecca Menzies in the Happy Retirement George Moore Handicap Hurdle.
"He won over fences in France and when we bought him we thought it would be all about next year, but that's two he's won over hurdles now and he's looking a really good buy," said Menzies.
"He's a nice horse and I'm tempted to run him again, but I'll probably put him away for the season now as he'd had plenty of racing before we got him."
The concluding Dine And View At Catterick Races Handicap Hurdle went to 5-1 shot Notebook.