Master Eddy comes up trumps
Master Eddy (10-1) made Jason Maguire work desperately hard but he still came up trumps in the opener at Newbury to provide a big stage winner for second-season trainer Shaun Lycett.
Even-money favourite Minella Tipperary dictated a sedate pace that still had Maguire pushing along with a circuit to go in the VC Casino.com 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.
However, he responded well and led two out, pulling steadily away for a 16-length success.
"He takes a lot of riding, but it's only because he's so green," said Gloucestershire-based Lycett.
"He's in the Brit at Cheltenham, but won't go - he's not man enough and we'll wait until next year when he's chasing."
Maljimar's third behind Nadover and Nozic at Chepstow last time was starting to look quite useful form and so it proved as he ran away with the VC Casino.com Novices' Handicap Chase by five lengths.
Ruby Walsh was looking confident aboard recent Hereford winner Officier De Reserve, but 7-2 shot Maljimar (Wayne Hutchinson) took him on at the third-last and quickly put the race to bed.
"He's run solidly all season and was entitled to come here with a good chance," said trainer Nick Williams. "I haven't got any plans, I just wanted to win with him."
Green Belt Flyer (20-1) seemed to enjoy the step up in trip in the VC Casino.com Handicap Chase, but not without a fair slice of luck.
Sam Thomas had the winner in contention at the fourth-last when The Duckpond, who had made much of the running, suddenly pulled up and was quickly dismounted while interfering with the favourite Yes My Lord.
Green Belt Flyer was left at the front and galloped away by nine lengths, with Harrycone Lewis second.
Trainer Venetia Williams revealed: "He has done much of his running over two miles, but it didn't seem to be happening and there didn't seem to be anything amiss so we tried three miles instead.
"Obviously we had some fortune but he'll stay over three (miles) now."
Madison Du Berlais got up close home to deny Nozic in the VC Casino.com Gold Cup Handicap Chase.
Tom Scudamore brought David Pipe's charge with a perfectly-timed run from the rear to take the lead in the dying strides.
Nozic, trained by Paul Nicholls, looked like defying top weight when he went on after five out.
Although Ruby Walsh on Nozic shrugged off the challenges of Marcel and No Full, he could not hold the late bid of Madison Du Berlais (12-1), who scored by a neck. No Full was third eight lengths away.
"He kept answering every call. I thought the step up in trip would help him and he's come here in great form. I'm delighted he's won a big race, he deserves it," Scudamore told Channel 4 Racing.
"It's my third big winner in successive weeks and it's important at this time of year to get some exposure."
Pipe added: "It's down to the ground and the step up in trip - he's always wanted it really. He dropped out a bit in the race then stayed on. Up the run-in, Ruby is a hard man to get past but Tom did it."
