The betting for the £33,000 Listed contest was dominated by southern raiders Tenor Nivernais and Le Mercurey, both coming into the race on the back of good recent runs.
But Seldom Inn, trained close to the course by Sandy Thomson, was not without his supporters at 8/1 in the five-runner event.
He tracked the principals for much of the contest, but loomed up menacingly coming off the home turn, and cruised past Le Mercurey into the lead before the second-last fence.
Tenor Nivernais, who had looked to have been mastered by Le Mercurey, rallied again for second place after the last, but he was absolutely no match for the eased-down winner, making his first start since falling in a novice handicap chase on Fighting Fifth day. At the line, Seldom Inn had 21 lengths in hand.
Thomson said: "That was brilliant. He's a horse that has had his jumping problems, so we've done plenty of work on that, but he obviously has a lot of ability.
"He hadn't run since falling at Newcastle in November, but he always runs well fresh and this is a nice race to win with him.
"We'll probably go to Ayr with him for either the Scottish National or there's a nice novice handicap at the same meeting.
"If it came up soft there's a chance we could go to Aintree, but he certainly won't run before then."
Having also scored aboard Mount Mews in the feature novice hurdle, Hughes' other victories came aboard the Nick Alexander-trained pair of Clan Legend (100/30) and The Orange Rogue (11/4 favourite) also triumphing on the card.
Clan Legend's success in the Cyril Alexander Memorial Chase was especially dear to the trainer's heart as the race is named in honour of his father.
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