Vibrato Valtat survived a blunder at the final fence to run out an impressive winner of the Sportingbet Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter.
Last year’s Arkle fourth travelled powerfully throughout under Sam Twiston-Davies, but there were still four horses in with a realistic chance on entering the home straight.
Dunraven Storm, last year’s winner God’s Own, former champion chaser Sire De Grugy and the eventual winner all jumped the fourth-last in a line.
Sire De Grugy and Vibrato Valtat soon pulled clear, but Gary Moore’s stable star blew up at the second-last, leaving the grey with a clear advantage.
Paul Nicholls’ charge fluffed the last but the 5-2 favourite won by an eased-down four lengths from the staying-on Third Intention.