Island Flyer was one of the few bright spots on a gloomy afternoon at Wincanton as he furthered his progressive profile.
Sent off the even-money favourite, the six-year-old did exactly what he did on his first effort over fences for Tom George earlier in the month, making nearly all the running and jumping triumphantly in the David Cartwright Novices' Chase.
Paddy Brennan needed to get briefly stuck into his mount to repel a determined Tony McCoy and Saunders Road, but a tired mistake at the last from his rival settled the contest to the tune of 13 lengths.
"He did it nicely and seems to have taken well to fences," said George.
"Hurdles were a bit of a waste of time for him - they just got in the way - and we were thinking of leaving his novice campaign until next season but he seemed fit and well so we gave it a go.
"I have nothing specific in mind but he deserves to be stepped up in class after that effort."
Much more was required of Brennan later in the afternoon as he virtually carried Petite Margot home to land the spoils in the Axminster Carpets Somerset National Handicap Chase.
No distance seems too far for Nigel Twiston-Davies' mare, who landed another marathon at Kelso earlier in the season and was certainly not disgraced when second to the useful Arnold Layne last month.
It was Kent National winner Iris de Balme who looked most likely to add another county title to his name straightening for home, but he was quickly passed by his fellow 2-1 favourite.
Instead it was Ironside who emerged as a danger late on, closing to within half a length at the line.
Jigsaw Dancer (11-4) has really got his act together of late and rattled off a quickfire hat-trick under Mark Grant in the Betfredcasino Novices' Handicap Hurdle.
The chestnut's improved form is reflected by that of trainer Andy Turnell, celebrating his fifth win of the fortnight as his charge cleared well away of a moderate field.
"They all ran a little below form over Christmas but things certainly seem to be going well now," said Turnell.
"This horse has just taken a while to grow up. He's been a bit of a playboy but the penny's dropped now.
"He ran him a couple of times quickly and he's now due to go up in the handicap so I shouldn't think he'll go again for a little while."
Turnell was also pleased to keep his owner John Robinson happy.
The multi-millionaire founder of the Jigsaw clothing empire also sponsors the yard.
Tommy Phelan, aboard Ganymede, was given a one-day careless riding ban (March 31) for interfering with Huguenot.
Lamanver Homerun, who was rather fortunate when a stablemate left her clear at Taunton three weeks earlier, was a clear-cut if not altogether convincing winner of the Betfredbingo Mares Only Novices' Hurdle.
Paul Nicholls' 4-11 favourite made one shocking mistake and was inclined to jump and hang left for much of the way but Nick Scholfield kept her going and she had too much ability for Lady Bling Bling.
Back Nine (7-2), who went very close in the Stewart Tory Memorial Hunters' Chase 12 months ago, got his head in front this time around against a strong West Country challenge including old favourite Red Brook Lad.
An across-the-track battle for the Betfred Handicap Hurdle eventually went to the Ron Hodges-trained Master Mahogany (11-1), ridden by James White.
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