Henrietta Knight's popular veteran Edredon Bleu proved a more than able substitute for Best Mate with a memorable victory in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton Park today.
With last year's winner Best Mate rerouted to Leopardstown for Sunday's Ericsson Chase, Edredon Bleu stepped into the breach for Miss Knight and owner Jim Lewis.
And the 11-year-old, a 25-1 shot, got the better of Tiutchev, with First Gold back in third.
Jim Culloty settled Edredon Bleu at the head of affairs tracked by First Gold and Valley Henry, with La Landiere and Jair Du Cochet, the 2-1 favourite, in touch on the outside.
The market leader ruined his chance with a bad blunder going down the back for the first time and was eventually pulled up.
First Gold went on with five of the 19 fences left to jump and Edreon Bleu looked beaten, but he would not be denied and, rallying gallantly for Culloty, he was back in front approaching the third-last and jumped the the final obstacles in great style.
Edredon Bleu ran on to score by a length and a quarter from Tiutchev, who was returned at 20-1, with a length back to First Gold (11-4).
Culloty told Channel 4 attheraces: "First Gold came by me going well, but I couldn't rush him that far out so I gave him a chance for a minute and then the other horse (Tiutchev) came on his outside and pushed him forward, and I was never going to get beat after that.
"Once he gets his head in front like that, you won't get by him. Culloty missed last year's win on Best Mate through suspension, and he added: "This was worth waiting for.
Edredon Bleu had finished well beaten behind First Gold in the 2000 King George on his only previous attempt at three miles.
"We always said he'd stay three miles," Miss Knight told Channel 4 attheraces. "He never had a fair trial three years ago because of the soft ground, but he has been in terrific form this year.
"He's just unbelievable, so economical, so gutsy, and he just won't say no."
First Gold's trainer Francois Doumen said: "I am not disappointed. That was his comeback race and the Gold Cup has always been his objective.
Guillaume Macaire, trainer of Jair Du Cochet, added: "After three fences I was sure of a disaster. The horse is OK, but I am not. This was too bad to be true.
"From the start he was unable to jump, just a shadow. I am very upset.