Nico de Boinville gave Lough Derg Spirit (7-4) a positive ride from the front to claim the Sky Bet Supreme Scottish Trial Novices' Hurdle at Musselburgh.
De Boinville, who only returned from three months out through injury on Friday, stole a few lengths on the turn for home on the Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old.
That move proved decisive as Lough Derg Spirit kept up the gallop to hold the 10-11 favourite Peter The Mayo Man by two and a half lengths.
De Boinville said: "I'd seen there was a bit of a golden highway from the front round here, so I thought we may as well be positive.
"We had to find a pound somewhere to beat Peter The Mayo Man, so that's what we did.
"He's slick at his hurdles and he came out of my hands at a couple of them. He is good and knows what he's doing."
Henderson said: "I just thought after Burbank in the first race the track was sharp enough. His hurdling is very slick so I said to Nico we had to grab this a bit and be very positive. He gave him a good ride.
"It was good because you have to be sharp round here.
"It was a good performance, but we'll have a think about what we do next. He's still a baby and his life's in front of him. We'll see what the owners want to do."