Tony McCoy recovered from a first race fall to steer Albertas Run to glory in the first Grade One of the day, the Ryanair Chase.
Albertas Run, who won the RSA Chase at the Festival two years ago, was not very popular in the betting prior to the race and eventually went to post at tasty odds of 14-1.
Trained by Jonjo O'Neill, the Trevor Hemmings-trained nine-year-old had to shoulder top-weight but he did so with some credit to see off the challenge of the well-backed 11-4 favourite Poquelin, having four-and-a-half lengths to spare at the line.
Irish raider J'y Vole ran a cracker for Willie Mullins and Davy Condon but had to settle for third a further nose back.
McCoy was tasting success at the Festival for the second time this week after his exploits aboard Binocular in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday.
"That was nice," the champion jockey said.
"He's a good horse, he won the SunAlliance (RSA) a few years ago and I'm just delighted for Trevor (Hemmings, owner).
"He's not here as he's not well, he is having some problems with his foot.
"Myself and Jonjo kind of asked Trevor if we could run him in the Ryanair instead of the Gold Cup as we thought he had a good chance and Trevor, being the man he is, was all on for it.
"I'm delighted for him and I hope his foot is sore from jumping up and down!"
Winning trainer Jonjo O'Neill added: "AP knows what he's doing. The horse jumped great for him and did everything right.
"He knows the horse very well and he was keen to ride him in this race rather than the Gold Cup and it has all worked out well.
"The ground is important to him. He loves good ground. it helps him jump and when he's like that he's a real good horse.
"We know he gets the trip so he made it a good gallop and it was great that he kept going."