Kauto Star proved he is still the best chaser around as he bounced back to his brilliant best to win the Betfair Chase at Haydock for a second successive year.
Travelling sweetly for new jockey Sam Thomas, a huge leap at the third-last took him clear of My Way De Solzen.
However, Exotic Dancer, who chased home Kauto Star in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham, emerged as a real threat after the last.
But Paul Nicholls' stable star, the 4-5 favourite, showed real grit and determination to win by half a length.
Ollie Magern set his usual furious pace up front but the main protagonists had caught up by the fifth-last, where Kauto Star jumped to the front.
Robert Thornton was oozing confidence on My Way De Solzen and appeared to be travelling as well as anything before weakening rapidly after the second-last.
Barry Geraghty, riding Exotic Dancer for the first time, tracked Kauto Star until after the final fence but Thomas' mount showed just why he is a champion by holding off the challenge.
Beef Or Salmon ran on to claim third.