Sue Smith's Wakanda battled on gamely to hold off Virak and win the At The Races Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle.
Sue Smith's Wakanda battled on gamely to hold off Virak and win the At The Races Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle.
Prominent throughout under Danny Cook, the six-year-old's jumping held up under pressure to repel the challenge of the Paul Nicholls-trained top weight over the final two fences.
The Last Samuri and Final Assault both had chances in the straight but the first two pulled seven lengths clear with half a length separating the duo at the line.
Harvey Smith, assistant trainer, said: "As long as the handicapper doesn't go mad he'll be a nice horse.
"We like to bring them along slowly but the handicapper sometimes doesn't let you do that.
"Hopefully he can win a nice little race somewhere next time because he's had a very hard race there."
Cook said: "His jumping was a little scrappy early on but once I got him into a rhythm he soon settled into it.
"I've ridden him four times and won all four now. He just keeps finding for you."