Hello Bud rolled back the years to win the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase for a second time at Aintree in the highlight of a 193-1 treble for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies and his jockey son Sam.
As well as lifting the other race run over the Grand National fences with Little Josh, they also struck with Master Of The Sea.
But it was 14-year-old Hello Bud (14-1), who took the plaudits with an emotional triumph for his connections. Successful in 2010 and running in this race for a fourth time, the veteran answered his rider's every call.
Join Together was clawing back the deficit with every stride from the elbow but was still a neck down at the line.
The winning jockey said: "He absolutely ran his heart out for me. He means everything to me. I just can't tell you just how much I love this horse. He's given us so much pleasure over the years."
While his father seemed keen for Hello Bud to keep going, Twiston-Davies jnr feels it would be fitting for Hello Bud to retire on such a high.
He said: "I think it was the perfect way for him to go out today and I'd like to think he's finished. I know he can run in the National but it would be shame to keep dragging him on."
Twiston-Davies became the first to train winners of all five races run over the National fences when Little Josh (7-2 favourite) landed the Betfred Goals Galore Grand Sefton Handicap Chase, beating Gansey by a length-and-three-quarters.
At Sandown, Sprinter Sacre's easy success in the Sportingbet Tingle Creek Chase was the highlight of a four-timer for trainer Nicky Henderson, who also teamed up with stable jockey Barry Geraghty to claim the Markel Insurance Henry VIII Novices' Chase with Captain Conan.
Sprinter Sacre (4-11 favourite) extended his unbeaten run over fences to six on his seasonal bow in the Grade One feature.
Much had been made of his showdown with the Paul Nicholls-trained Sanctuaire but the latter only managed third place after being caught by Kumbeshwar on the way to the line.
Paddy Power now make Sprinter Sacre the 1-2 favourite from evens for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
Henderson's other wins came courtesy of Petit Robin (11-1) in the Sportingbet Handicap Hurdle and Golden Hoof, in the opening John Oakley 50th Birthday "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle.
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