The winner was partnered by Tom Scudamore, who was returning to action following a fall last week. "It was a bit of a nightmare. I had administration problems, but it was all sorted out thankfully, " Scudamore said. "It's always nice to have a winner and this is my biggest, so it's a great pleasure."

Favourite Afrad spent much of the race bunched in the field and did not challenge, while fancied Not Left Yet also failed to make an impression and so it was left to Nathos and Desert Air to battle it out with the Pipetrained horse coming out on top to claim a staying victory.

Earlier on the card there were to be no such surprises, however, as pre-race 9-4 favourite Noland eased to a comfortable five-length win in the Tolworth Hurdle.

The five-year-old is starting to find his feet over hurdles since making his Wincanton bow in October. Christian Williams guided him safely over the fences before he pushed away from the field after the last.

"He jumps well and will make a lovely chaser, " said trainer Paul Nicholls, who is targeting him for the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Whispered Promises led from the off and did well to hold onto second place with Scudamore bringing Albarino home third.

Meanwhile, over at Haydock Park, jockey Andrew Glassonbury once again advertised his skills when he gave Bannow Strand a canny front-running ride to win the 32Red Online Casino Novices' Chase.

Martin Pipe's conditional jockey had previously been seen to good effect when scoring on Therealbandit for his boss at Wetherby on Boxing Day. And he proved excellent value for his 7lb claim when he rode Bannow Strand with the strength and timing associated with some of his more experienced weighing room colleagues.

Pipe's massive gelding had been beaten at odds-on over the minimum trip at the track in November. He was sent off the 6-4 favourite to recoup losses this time and he did so in resolute fashion.

Huka Lodge relished the stamina-sapping conditions, described as soft, heavy in places, to make his first start for Kate Walton a winning one when romping home in the 32Redpoker. com Handicap Hurdle.

The grey had previously been in the care of Len Lungo and had refused at the 10th fence in a handicap chase on his previous outing in November.

Lord Brock jumped like an old hand when he made a winning debut over fences in the 32Red. com Novices' Handicap Chase and Heltornic bounced back from a heavy fall last time out to take the John Smith's/EBF Mares Only National Hunt Novices' Hurdle with a stout staying performance.