The Last Samuri produced a bold round of jumping to secure a runaway victory in the BetBright Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster.
Formerly trained by Donald McCain before joining Kim Bailey prior to the start of this season, the eight-year-old was third in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle before plundering a valuable prize at Kempton over Christmas.
With just six runners going to post for the recognised Crabbie's Grand National trial on Town Moor, The Last Samuri was the 2-1 favourite in the hands of David Bass and moved powerfully from the outset.
Sego Success held a narrow advantage rounding the home turn, but Bailey's charge produced a huge leap four fences from the finish to draw alongside.
A similarly prodigious effort at the next then saw him hit the front for the first time.
The Druids Nephew, who was still going well when falling late on in last year's National, went in pursuit from the third-last, but his efforts were in vein as The Last Samuri galloped on remorselessly and winged the final obstacle to secure a 10-length triumph.