Hennessy hero Smad Place booked his Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup ticket with a clear-cut victory in a dramatic renewal of the BetBright Trial Chase at the Festival venue.
Willie Mullins' Djakadam, who has headed the market for the blue riband following his second place of last year, was sent off favourite to cement his status as market leader but came a cropper at the 10th fence when starting to come into contention.
That left the front-running Smad Place and last year's Grand National hero Many Clouds to fight out the finish and in a reversal of last year's result, it was Smad Place who emerged victorious by 12 lengths.
Richard Johnson was in the plate after injury ruled out intended pilot Wayne Hutchinson and winning trainer Alan King was keen to hail his efforts in the saddle.
He said: "He was in very, very good form today. I was desperate to run him. It's a shame for Wayne, but Dicky [Johnson] has given him a hell of a ride. It was a great exhibition of jumping."
King confirmed on Sunday that Smad Place will head to the Gold Cup rather than taking up his alternative entry in the Ryanair Chase.
The Barbury Castle handler also saddled Yanworth to land the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle and he tops the market for the event of the same name at the Festival.
"I don't know how good he is – he's never come off the bridle in four runs this season," said King. "I don't think I've trained anything like it. I'm sure he'll be a better horse in better ground.
"He's frightening – but in a good way."
Annacotty (13-2) made it a hat trick for King in the freebets.com Trophy Handicap Chase.
Any doubts over the ability of Thistlecrack to handle the track at Cheltenham were comprehensively banished after the new star of the staying division routed his galliradhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle rivals in the manner of horse that could dominate for years to come.
Those attempting to find a chink in the armour of the fast-improving eight-year-old were left bitterly disappointed as he followed up stylish wins in the Long Distance and Long Walk Hurdle with another emphatic success in the Grade Two prize, to enhance his position as the one to beat in the World Hurdle at the Festival in March.
Winning handler Colin Tizzard said: "I didn't quite think I had him in the same form as Ascot, but he was brilliant.
"He kept galloping up the run-in without even checking. He powered up the hill against class opposition. That is three times on the trot he has won like that and he doesn't need to get any better to win the World Hurdle."
Outsider of six Protek Des Flos (25-1) staked a Festival claim when making a successful British debut for trainer Nicky Henderson in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial.
King and Henderson were also each in the money at Doncaster, with the first-named trainer sending Ziga Boy to win the Sky Bet Chase.
Sent on his way an 8-1 shot under Brendan Powell, Ziga Boy scored by three and a quarter lengths to fuel Grand National dreams for owners Axom Racing.
King said: "It's marvellous and Brendan has given him a hell of a ride."
Henderson's Vaniteux got back to winning ways in the Grade Two grand-national2016.co.uk Lightning Novices' Chase and was subsequently cut to around 8-1 for the Arkle.
Ben Pauling was still undecided regarding the Cheltenham Festival target of Barters Hill but the unbeaten hurdler showed once again he is one of the toughest horses in training when winning the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.
"That just shows how tough he is," said the Gloucestershire handler. "David [Bass, jockey] will tell me Albert Bartlett but I'd be scared of nothing in the Neptune. He travelled so much better for the better ground – I haven't ruled the Neptune out."
Brian Ellison's Smart Talk (7-1) booked her ticket for Cheltenham with a win in the OLBG.com Mares' Hurdle.
"We could run her in the novice mares' race [Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle] or the other one [OLBG Mares' Hurdle], we'll just wait and see," said Ellison.
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