Fundamentalist, another old-timer at the age of 10, was a further 11 lengths adrift of the winner.

Well-backed favourite Don't Push It was in trouble some way from home and crashed out at the penultimate fence, but thankfully both McCoy and Don't Push It emerged unscathed.

Smith, whose charge finished third in the Champion Chase two years ago, said: "I'm delighted. He obviously loves it at our place.

"He won his usual race at Wetherby at the start of the season but because there were no races in the north for him we decided to send him down here.

"I'm not surprised he was such a big price but he has been running in big races."

Elsworth, celebrating his first Festival success, added: "All credit to the owner Richard Longley. He's been very loyal to me to put me up.

"The horse can be fairly exuberant at his jumps and he's done it well today."

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