Dual-purpose trainer Hughie Morrison's Third Wind claimed success in the 24 runner Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle with a strong staying on performance.
The eight-year-old took a close victory in the Grade 3 race from Fergal O'Brien's Alaphilippe under Tom O'Brien.
The race was the subject of a stewards enquiry but 25/1 shot Third Wind kept the race with 11/2 co-favourite Alaphilippe second, Mill Green third and Winter Fog in fourth.
Nicky Henderson's outsider Mill Green briefly looked like he would take the race under Nico De Boinville but Third Wind and Alaphilippe pushed on for their own battle.
Neil Mullholland's Kansas City Chief made most of the running under amateur Victoria Malzard but couldn't make it home and it was the superior stamina of Third Wind that paid dividends.
Most punters hope their horse have a second wind but Third Wind showed he had the lungs in the Pertemps.
Winning trainer Morrison said: "On his day he's a very good horse and when the rain came, he had the soft ground he likes. We said jump off positively and Tom took the brave route down the inner. He said it was easy, and he didn't even have to hit him.
"I felt it was a needless enquiry because they hardly touched, and if we'd lost it I would have appealed. It was six of one and half a dozen of the other, and nothing happened.
"Tom said he was really relaxed and loved that ground. It was heavy at Haydock but he'd run a nice race at Warwick, so we came here hopeful of a good run."
