Best Mate, runner-up 12 months ago, went one better in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton Park today.
Tony McCoy, standing in for the suspended Jim Culloty, sent Henrietta Knight's 11/8 favourite to the front with five fences to jump and ran on resolutely to hold off Nicky Henderson's gallant Marlborough.
Marlborough's stable companion Bacchanal was third and while the Irish pair of Florida Pearl and Native Upmanship finished fourth and fifth repectively.