After travelling smoothly throughout, the nine-year-old kicked clear on the run into the straight and always had the move of New Field covered to hold on for a three-length success.

Monoceros finished third with Jaamid fourth but the disappointments of the race were the well-backed favourite Sweet Wake, County Hurdle winner Pedrobob and British challenger Leslingtaylor.

Swan said: “For the last 10 days the owner has been ringing me up asking how he was and I kept telling him I wished the race was today as he was so well – we just needed the ground to dry up.

“The horse is entered at Liverpool on Saturday. The owner is keen to run but I think it might be a bit unfair on the horse so he could go back for the Swinton Hurdle and the Galway Hurdle is also on the cards.”