Phil Kirby took time out from overseeing his switch from his current Middleham base to his new yard near Catterick to witness a win for Transient Bay at Wetherby.
Nursed into contention by Adam Nicol, the giant-framed six-year-old had plenty left in the tank come the concluding stages of the Bramham Hall For Conferences And Events Handicap Hurdle to repel the staying-on Naburn by a length and three quarters.
Kirby, who was claiming a first victory of the year, said: "He's a great, big horse and it has taken a long time to come to him.
"He is a big, slow-maturing horse so it was a good step forward and he did it really well.
"He is definitely going to be a chaser and he will get further.
"While he won't be a superstar he will win a few races.
"It's difficult trying to build a new yard and keep the horses going but hopefully we should be in the new yard by the end of March."
Newyearsresolution (25-1) ensured it was a day of firsts as the father-and-daughter team of Simon and Amie Waugh secured their inaugural winner of 2016 in the wetherbyracing.co.uk Handicap Hurdle.
Seemingly enjoying the step back up to three miles, the evergreen 12-year-old, trained by Simon and ridden by Amie, claimed a five-length victory to score for the first time since obliging in similar conditions at Newcastle last February.
The Northumberland trainer said: "We are absolutely delighted.
"He just loves three miles on heavy ground at a steady pace, it is as simple as that, and if he gets all three things he revels in it.
"If they went a bit quicker he wouldn't have been there.
"He got close to one or two but jumped pretty well on that ground.
"It just shows how long they can go on for if they have the heart for it."
Brian Harding was seen at his forceful best to get Cultram Abbey home in the Racing UK Day Pass Just £10 Handicap Chase.
Although the Nicky Richards-trained 7-1 shot was one of the first under pressure, the nine-year-old saw his assured stamina come into play to clinch an eight-length win.
Pinkie Brown (5-6 favourite) took a steep step down in class to open her account in the racinguk.com/anywhere Juvenile Maiden Hurdle for trainer Neil Mulholland, while the Sandy Thomson-trained The Dutchman (11-4) prevailed in a tight finish to the racinguk.com/freetrial 'National Hunt' Novices Hurdle.
Armedanddangerous (7-1) followed up his win at Uttoxeter for trainer Tom Gretton in the totepool Medieval Day-Saturday 6th February Handicap Chase.