Midnight Chase continued his love affair with Cheltenham on Saturday as he led from flagfall to finish in the valuable Argento Chase.
Back at the track he loves best and on decent ground, Neil Mulholland's stable star was pushed to the front from the off by Dougie Costello and never saw another rival over the 3m1f trip.
The unpredictable Tidal Bay, partnered by Ruby Walsh, came with a challenge turning for home, but was outpaced between the final two fences and although he closed all the way up the hill, he had given the 9-2 winner too much rope.
Diamond Harry was sent off the market leader and travelled well, but - not for the first time - did not appear comfortable on the undulations of Prestbury Park and was ultimately well beaten while Captain Chris, friendless in the market prior to the off, fenced as if something was amiss and jumped markedly to his right before being pulled up by Richard Johnson.
"He's great for the yard and it's great for Lady Clarke (owner)," Mulholland said.
"I'm delighted, we've had a bad time so this is great.
"We just haven't had the horses. We've had success for a couple of years and a lot are badly handicapped.
"Him and Dougie get on great together."
He added: "I thought he was in the same form as a year ago but he's got stronger and he's very genuine.
"He loves racing and he loves Cheltenham so he has to go for the Gold Cup after that."