Baron Alco stayed out of trouble to win an incident-packed BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham for trainer Gary Moore and his jockey son Jamie.
The seven-year-old, who went off at 8-1, moved clear late on after several fancied horses fell or were pulled up.
Bryony Frost rode 16-1 chance Frodon into second, two lengths adrift, with Guitar Pete (12-1) third and 6-1 favourite Mister Whitaker fourth.
"Thank goodness the owners talked me into running him," said Gary Moore.
"The horse is all heart. I was going to take him out, as I thought the ground was quick enough."
Earlier, Richard Johnson rode the Philip Hobbs-trained Rock The Kasbah to victory in the BetVictor.com Handicap Chase.
The 9-1 chance beat Royal Vacation (14-1), with Coneygree (12-1) third in his first race of the season.
Coneygree, the 11-year-old 2015 Gold Cup winner, is now in contention to run in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on 26 December.
Sara Bradstock, assistant trainer to husband Mark, said: "I'm nearly in tears. To have him back is wonderful.
"He had every right to be a bit tired - look at the way he stayed on for third.
"He could possibly go for the King George. He has not made it through December before without going lame."