Melodic Rendezvous had to work hard to land the odds and make a successful debut over fences in the CES Novices' Chase at Bangor.
It was only close home that Jeremy Scott's classy hurdler got the better of the long-time leader Boondooma to get the verdict by half a length in the hands of Nick Scholfield.
Boondooma made a bold bid to make all and though Melodic Rendezvous ranged menacingly alongside from the third-last, the leader would not surrender and gave supporters of the 4-11 favourite a fright before being collared close home.
Scott said: " I think in principle we are very happy. We came here with the objective to jump round and he never looked like not jumping round.
"It would have been nice to have won hard on the steel, but I'm glad he's had a proper race and the runner-up is no mug and he'd had some experience. I think he used that to his advantage and to test ours.
"We were a bit novicey over one or two fences and giving them too much air, but generally we're very happy. He's had a hard-enough race without being bottomed. We've got something to work with and move on with.
"The original plan was to to go to Ascot next weekend or even to Kempton the day after Boxing Day. In the light of how he jumped and how he went we'll review it with Nick and maybe we'll find another quiet novice chase somewhere and then put him up in grade a bit the next run.
"We'll chat with everybody and come up with a plan."
Melodic Rendezvous remained unchanged at 33-1 for the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival with RaceBets.
Dr Richard Newland, trainer of Boondooma, was delighted with his charge.
The Worcester handler said: "I was very pleased with his performance, obviously disappointing he didn't win the race in the end. He ran a super race and you can't ask for any more. He'll possibly want a bit further and maybe he's got a nice handicap in him."
