He jumped the last upsides eventual runner-up Granit Jack, who was sent off at 15-2, and powered up the hill to score by three lengths.

Amaretto Rose, the well-supported 2-1 favourite, stuck to her task when passed and finished a further neck away in third.

The traditional roar was evident as the tapes went up, with Orbit O'Gold and She's Our Daisy taking the runners along at a fair clip.

Granit Jack was always prominent and moved up to share the lead at halfway, from which point the major players began to make their moves.

As the field swung down the infamous hill, all eyes were drawn to Amaretto Rose as Nicky Henderson’s mare was swinging away on the bit.

So too was the eventual winner, however, and when Granit Jack entered the straight under the familiar Ruby Walsh drive, it became clear that Ebaziyan was travelling the strongest.

After negotiating the final flight, Condon asked for everything and his partner responded to get the big meeting off to an absolute flyer for the layers.

Condon told Channel 4 Racing: ``I couldn't believe how well he was going.

“He wasn’t that well fancied for this race. We knew he would win the last day, but he didn’t impress us that much.

“He doesn’t do much in front, but lucky enough he did today!”

Owner Peter Garvey added: “I bought him from Willie about two years ago, but he was injured last year.

“We didn’t think he would do as well as he has done today.”

Mullins told Racing UK: ``I didn't have him right earlier in the year and even the day he won he didn't win too convincingly.

“I reckon I ran him back too soon and I thought he had a lot more in the tank. Thankfully it proved that today.

“Nothing went according to plan. He was about third or fourth over the third-last, but thankfully it came right.

“He got a bump or two, but once it opened up he flew.”

John Hales, owner of the runner-up, said: ``It was a fantastic performance by the outsider to win. We were beaten by a better horse on the day.

“My horse is a chaser. He was not bought to go hurdling and Ruby said he jumped very big. We are delighted with that.

“I don’t know if he will run again this season, but he will be some two-mile chaser.”

Amanda Bentley, racing manager for owners the Weatherbys Racing Club, revealed Amaretto Rose had returned from the race with a minor cut.

She said: “We are really proud of her, but when Mick (Fitzgerald) came in he said that she was knocked sideways at the second-last.

“She’s come back with a cut on her back leg, which we hope is only superficial.

“All being well, she will go to Aintree for one of the novice hurdles and that will be her last run for us.”

Paul Webber bemoaned his luck for fourth-home De Soto, who did not benefit from the field failing to get away at the first time of asking.

“He had a good position the first time they came in, but not so good the second time and he didn’t get away too well,” he said.

“He stayed on fantastically well on ground that was a little bit tacky for him.

“If we think about Liverpool we’ll be looking at a two-and-a-half-mile race there.”