Tony McCoy warmed up for his Grand National farewell with a resounding win in the Melling Chase on Ladies' Day at Aintree.
McCoy rode 3-1 joint-favourite Don Cossack to a 26-length victory after pulling clear of 6-1 shot Cue Card with two fences remaining.
It meant a second victory of the meeting for the 19-time champion jockey, who will retire if he wins the National for a second time on Saturday when he rides favourite Shutthefrontdoor.
McCoy replaced the suspended Bryan Cooper aboard Don Cossack and told reporters: "I got a good ride off him and I kind of owe it to Kieran McManus, JP's son,
"We knew early in the week Uxizandre wouldn't be running and Kieran spoke to Eddie and Michael O'Leary and thankfully they got me the ride on him.
"Even though we have good competition with Eddie and Michael it's nice to ride one of their horses in a Grade 1 as I haven't got long left."
In February, McCoy announced his shock decision to retire during this season. If he is not victorious in the National, a race he won on Don't Push It in 2010, the 40-year-old will call time on a career boasting in excess of 4,300 race wins at Sandown later this month.
Meanwhile, jockey Wayne Hutchison is a doubt for the National after suffering an injury aboard Balder Succes on Friday. He will need to pass a doctor's test in order to ride Godsmejudge in the showpiece.