Ancient King made his flat speed tell to win Sunday's Grand National Hurdle (3900m) at Sandown Lakeside.
Parked just behind the leading group through the early stages, Ancient King came to challenge into the home straight and looked set for a clear victory until bungling the last flight.
John Allen gathered the $2.70 favourite together and went on to defeat Two Hats ($7.50) by four lengths with Hornets' Nest ($6.60) a further 1 1/4-lengths away in third.
Ancient King finished third in the 2013 Derby Italiano and is unbeaten in five hurdle starts this year.
Allen said he was always feeling confident aboard the Darren Weir-trained eight-year-old.
"I always thought the step up in trip would suit him and the race was tailor made for him today," Allen said.
"We got a lovely and was always travelling well. He jumped super apart from the last. We went quite slow and I was always in a good position.
"He just met it wrong so I let him do his own thing - I'm sure it looked a bit ugly but I was always confident in the run."
Allen said Ancient King's speed on the flat makes him a formidable hurdler.
"He just gets from A to B so quickly and he's a very efficient jumper. He's been untouchable over jumps this season," Allen said.
"He's very clever and quick on his feet. He's a real little hurdler, I think trying to jump fences might be a bit too hard."
