Dalamoi booked his ticket to Cheltenham's hunter chase evening early next month when taking his unbeaten record in points to three after doggedly landing the Men's Open at Shelfield Park on Saturday.
Partnered by regular jockey, Ed Vaughan, the eight-year-old had to show plenty of battling qualities to see off the renewed attentions of Shoal Bay in the home straight before passing the post with a length-and-three-quarters in hand over that rival.
Vaughan said: "He is a nice willing horse who had a few other entries over the weekend but we decided to come here as they do a competent job with the watering which is important at the moment the way the ground is."
He added: "He has now completed a hat-trick of wins since we switched him to pointing and as far as the future goes this spring it would be nice to think in terms of the two-and-a-half mile hunter chase at Cheltenham in about three weeks
"There is also the option of the Dunraven Bowl at Chepstow later this month but I think the Cheltenham race might suit him better as three miles seemed to stretch his stamina a little under Rules."
Thomasina Eyston partnered her first winner since reverting back to amateur rider status after Sam Barton sprang something of a 7-1 surprise in the Ladies Open. The 10-year-old was left clear when the hot 4/9 favourite Shentri dislodged jockey Poppy Shaw at the final fence.
Racegoers were divided in opinion which way the contest would have gone if both protagonists had retained their riders as the pair were seemingly neck and neck at the time of the dramatic incident.
However Eyston was in little doubt which way the pendulum would have swung, saying: "There might not have been much in it come the winning post but I think I would have won as my horse had plenty of momentum when things unfolded at the final obstacle
"The fences are there to be jumped and ultimately that decided the result. I could not not be more pleased for his trainer Edward Rees as the horse has had a number of little niggles in the past."
Bobbarelli was sent off 2-1 for the Restricted contest and never saw another rival as he led his rivals a merry dance to make all the running before passing the post with daylight back to the remainder.
Owned,trained and ridden by Amber Jackson-Fennell, the gelding has regained the winning thread this term after an enforced lay-off with a tendon problem.
The winning rider explained: "I knew the horse well in my time with Fran and Charlie Poste and after he got the injury his previous owners gave him to me as they knew he would be well looked after. He definitely has his quirks but bounced off the ground out in front and enjoyed himself."
Age is just a number! So said 58-year-old Philip York after steering D'Last Spez to a handsome success over Grenadine Save in the Conditions Race. The duo had a comfortable four lengths to spare where it mattered.
York said afterwards: "He loved that decent ground but the most important thing with him is his legs staying on as he has had all sorts of problems and little injuries. However he was spot on today as he jumped from fence to fence."
The riding and training honours went the way of Tom Hutsby and his father Fred as they doubled up courtesy of wins for Drakes Well (Novice Riders Conditions Race) and I Don't Know (Maiden).
Hutsby jnr said of Drakes Well: "He has had a bit of an unlucky time so far this season but he wants this faster ground and things worked out really well in his favour on this occasion."
Only one turned up for the Members race which led to Marita Warner-King's Ahead Of The Game walking over.