The Last Fling and jockey pal Seamus Durack treated the big Haydock Park fences with contempt today on the way to a spectacular 24-length victory in the De Vere Gold Cup.
The much-improved 10-year-old put on a splendid exhibition in the #100,000 handicap to hammer his six rivals and record his third win at the Merseyside track this season.
The victory prompted Ladbrokes to slash The Last Fling to 12-1 favourite for the Martell Grand National with Victor Chandler more generous at 14-1.
Ladbrokes and Chandler both quote him at 20-1 for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Durack, who has struck up such a fruitful relationship with The Last Fling, said: 'High-class handicappers have done it before in the Gold Cup, so you've got to have a go.'
But trainer Sue Smith was more circumspect and said: 'I don't know about the Gold Cup just yet. Let's see how he is after this race first.'
The Last Fling was at the head of affairs by the third fence and stayed there for the remainder of the journey.
He had soon established a long lead and the opposition always appeared to be chasing in vain.
The Last Fling maintained a powerful gallop all the way to the line and Durack was able to ease down on the run-in.
Niki Dee followed him home to finish runner-up for the fourth race in a row.
Tullymurry Toff was a further nine lengths back in third with last year's winner Young Kenny fading into fourth.
Smith's husband Harvey, the former leading showjumper, said: 'The papers today said our horse had no talent - I'm just delighted he's proved them wrong.'
Durack said: 'He didn't really like the ground today - he could do with it softer but he can gallop all right.'
The trainer said: 'The Last Fling is really just a one-person horse. Him and Seamus just get on so well together.
'Apart from the first fence when he was bumped, he jumped super all the way.'
The Last Fling has twice unseated his rider at Cheltenham - the first occasion in the Sun Alliance Chase - but is a much improved jumper now.
'I suppose you would have to say it's a strong possibility that he will run in the Gold Cup. It would be my first runner in the race,' said Smith.
Peter Beaumont was far from downcast at the performances of Niki Dee and Young Kenny.
'Niki Dee would never have caught the winner but he would have finished closer but for a mistake in the straight. He deserves to win a good one after all his seconds,' he said.
'Brendan (Powell) said the ground was just too quick for Young Kenny. At three and a half miles he really needs it pretty soft.'
Young Kenny and Niki Dee are both likely to tackle the Grand National.
But Young Kenny will only be aimed at the Gold Cup if the ground is extremely testing. He has an alternative in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter.
Niki Dee may also run before Aintree - he is earmarked for the William Hill Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
Martin Pipe and owner David Johnson experienced double disappointment with the defeats of odds-on chances Urban Hymn and Mr Lamb.
Mr Lamb was sent off 4-6 to make amends for a first flight fall in the Tote Gold Trophy.
The grey tried to make all but was unable to repel the challenge of Deep Water on the run-in, conceding defeat by one length. Deep Water was winning for the first time since a success at the Grand National meeting two years ago.
'He's had one or two little problems and I'm delighted to get him back to somewhere near his best,' said trainer Micky Hammond.
Deep Water is likely to be going to Cheltenham where Hammond will choose between the Champion Hurdle and County Hurdle.
This made amends for the earlier poor effort of Hammond's Luzcadou.
The Martell Grand National entry was last of seven behind Aghawadda Gold in the Greens Health And Fitness Handicap Chase.
Commenting on Luzcadou's poor effort, Hammond said: 'He simply hasn't run his race, though I don't know why.
'Nothing has come to light so far but I'm sure something will come to light. I'd like to think we haven't seen the last of him this season.'
Aghawadda Gold's emphatic four-length defeat of Kings Measure proved that he stays two and a half miles.
But his trainer Tom Tate is still undecided whether to go for the Grand Annual Chase (two miles) or the Mildmay of Flete Chase (two and a half miles) at the Cheltenham Festival.
Urban Hymn's prospects for the Elite Racing Club Triumph Hurdle took a severe knock when he trailed in last of four in the De Vere Victory Ludorum Novices' Handicap Hurdle.
The race was won by Mrs Jodi who got up on the line to pip Ifni Du Luc by a head.
Hammond and Harding went on to complete a double when Fassan justified favouritism in the North East Slag Cement Novices' Handicap Chase. -PA
