Paris Pike triumphed in the Ladbroke Casinos Scottish Grand National at Ayr today to provide a glorious return to the track for owner Ivan Straker.
Straker served as the Ayr chairman for five years only to leave six years ago in acrimonious circumstances.
"I'm not going to talk about those events now but I will say this a grand way to come back," said 72-year-old Straker.
Connections' confidence in Paris Pike, the 5-1 joint-favourite, was fully justified as the novice jumped splendidly throughout the testing four miles one furlong.
He had taken charge going out onto the final circuit and was still travelling strongly at the head of affairs coming into the straight for the final time.
A few of his rivals, including the other joint-favourite Marlborough were being wound up for a challenge.
But Paris Pike, providing Adrian Maguire with his second success in this race, was not going to be denied and went on to defeat Noble Lord by three lengths.
Young Kenny, the winner of the race 12 months ago stayed on well to finish two and a half lengths away in third.
Winning trainer Ferdy Murphy said: "This horse is the real article and will be Gold Cup horse next season.
"From the first day he schooled he's been an excellent jumper. If he was covered up and given a faster run race he would be even better.
"Adrian has given the horse a fantastic ride, he gives them plenty of rein and that suits this horse."
Straker, who as the former chairman of Seagram did much to save the Grand National, bought Paris Pike on his own judgement.
He is hoping that one day the horse will be good enough to tackle the Aintree spectacular.
But first a Gold Cup campaign lies ahead with Paris Pike likely to return to action next season in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury.
Marlborough had looked likely to take a hand in the finish but he faded in the closing stages and trailed in sixth.
One of the other well-backed runners Cavalero exited at the third fence.
Samlee the winner of 18 races collapsed and died after suffering a heart attack.
Marlborough's owner Robert Ogden may have missed out on the big one but he picked up his fifth success of the two-day Ayr meeting when Lord York, a winner at the track yesterday, won the Bonusprint Handicap Chase.
The eight-year-old, with Seamus Durack deputising for Mick Fitzgerald, was in control when the chasing Flagship Uberalles pulled up between the third last and second last.
Flagship Uberalles, pushed out to 4-6 at the off after opening at 2-5, is ending the season under a cloud.
He failed to justify favouritism in the Queen Mother Champion Chase last month and was then pulled up at Aintree last week.
Trainer Paul Nicholls said: "It's just unfortunate. It seems he cracked the bulb on his heel but apart from that he's as sound as a bell."
