Perfect Candidate once again demonstrated his affinity for Cheltenham as he gained some compensation for missing out on a Aintree run with victory in the Llewellyn Humphreys Handicap Chase at Prestbury Park.
The Fergal O'Brien-trained gelding was making his seventh consecutive start at the course after failing to make the cut in the Crabbie's Grand National.
A race at Sandown was also mooted for Conor Shoemark's mount, but O'Brien had the final word and that decision paid dividends.
Picking up the bridle with a vengeance coming down the hill, the 11-1 winner stayed on strongly from the final fence to score by a length and three-quarters from Forgotten Gold.
O'Brien said: "We had him in the National and were disappointed that he didn't get in. We also looked at Sandown but, along with the owner, I agreed that he would be better off here.
"All his runs have been here (this season), including in the Kim Muir at the Festival, and he ran on like a lion that day. In five runs at Cheltenham, he's done us proud."
Katie Too rounded off a productive campaign with what appeared to be a fortuitous triumph in the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
Rapidly drying ground failed to halt the progress of the 100-30 favourite, who was scoring for the third time in only four starts this season.
However, her battling neck verdict over Actinpieces might not have happened if The Organist had not landed steeply and crumpled at the final flight when still a couple of lengths to the good.
That left the path clear for the Alan King-trained winner to maintain a neck advantage to the line under Wayne Hutchinson.
King said: "Two things that worried me were the moderate form of my horses right now and the fact that she had an easy three weeks after developing an ulcer at the back of her throat.
"She'd either been stood in her box or just doing light exercise, and when she lost her position at the top of the hill I thought she was going to need it.
"Thankfully, after intentionally skipping the Festival, we were able to bring her here. She must be good to overcome what she did today."
The Organist's trainer Oliver Sherwood gained a measure of compensation as Hitherjacques Lady (4-1) landed the closing Spreadex Sports And Financial Betting Mares' Standard Open NH Flat Race.
Neil Mulholland, successful with Fox Norton at the course on Wednesday, brought Indian Stream back from a 225-day absence to run out a clear-cut winner of the EBF TBA Mares' Novices' Chase Handicap Finale.
Noel Fehily seized the initiative on the 8-1 winner when Cresswell Breeze departed coming down the hill and the duo kept on strongly up the hill to prevail by eight lengths from Kilronan High with Ebony Empress back in third.
"I took her away for a gallop, but then you can't beat a run," said Mulholland.
"It was all about today and there is no major panic, but I've put her in the two-miles-five-furlong mares' handicap chase at Punchestown."
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