A rejuvenated One For Rosie tossed aside his pension book with a spring-heeled victory around picturesque Maisemore Park to comfortably land the featured Mixed Open under Tommie O'Brien.
Sent off a 4-1 chance, the 12-year-old grey, trained by former top jockey Jason Maguire, produced some spectacular leaps at his fences before making all the running and passing the post with six lengths to spare over Pink Eyed Pedro.
However, Maguire admitted afterwards that a couple of thoroughly lack-lustre efforts earlier in the season around Larkhill had him scratching his head in disbelief as One For Rosie had been pleasing in all his work at home.
He said: "I could not believe how poorly he had run particularly on his previous start so we gave him a little break and freshened him up as best we could at home and the rest is history as he was very sweet in the way he has just won.
"I think he just comes good in the Spring and the bit of sunshine has brought out the best in him because, I have to admit, he was getting to the last chance saloon. If he had not run very well here he might have been retired."
Now that the grey has had a temporary reprieve, Maguire added that he would now head to the Berkeley in around a month's time and attempt to repeat his win of two years ago in the Members race.
The old maxim 'if at first you don't succeed, try and try again' could have been put in place just for rider Gordon Miller as he belatedly celebrated his first ever winner at the age of 31 following the success of Francesco Du Clos in the Members contest.
Miller said: "I cannot tell you how fantastic it is to ride my first winner after all these years as words are failing me but to win this race on a horse qualified with the Ledbury is timely as I take up the role of joint Master Of Foxhounds with them in just over a month
"I had my first ever ride back in the days when I was a teenager before I took a long break from it, but something kept calling me back and here I am unbelievably standing in the winner's circle - I suppose it's a dream that just came true."
He added: "I must say a big thank you to trainer Nicky Sheppard for helping this to happen and also to Francesco Du Clos as he wanted to win and I hope there will be other days to come just like this one."
Racegoers in search of a potential star of the future were treated to an impressive display by the Tom Lacey owned and trained In A Sonnet as he landed the Sales Race (4 & 5yo Maiden) under Sean O'Connor, who was partnering his first winner since breaking his pelvis earlier this term.
Despite doing plenty wrong by proving rather free and headstrong for much of the race, the son of Poet's Word still had enough left in the tank to see off Idaho Fire and Dom Rodrigo by two-and-a-half lengths and the same.
Lacey said: "He is for sale so we shall have to wait and see what happens in that respect but I thought it was a decent performance overall as he was too free and a bit green at times but has still won fairly decisively."
Tom Britten is proving a name to follow in the trainer's ranks and he was again on the mark when doubling up after Mount Anglesby (Toby McCain-Mitchell) and Ocean Drifter (Clara Brewitt) took the Restricted contest and Conditions Race for Veteran and Novice Riders respectively.
Punters could not get enough of Britten's duo in the betting ring beforehand as they were both sent off very well backed odds-on chances before leaving broad smiles on the faces of favourite backers.
Britten said of his winners: "Mount Anglesby is a nice horse for the future and could run again this season while Ocean Drifter keeps on pulling out a bit more if challenged and is a real battler."
As expected the Flat Race was over subscribed and had to be divided with Graeme McPherson's Blue Skies Ahead landing the first leg and providing Tommie O'Brien, who had earlier scored on One For Rosie, with a two timer.
The second division went the way of Ladies Day, trained by Gina Andrews and ridden by her brother Jack. The mare could now head to Aintree in May to contest another bumper.
Will Biddick does not often make many trips north of Bristol these days but he was rewarded after 11-10 favourite Sparkling Duke proved the answer to the 6yo And Over Maiden for trainer Josh Newman.