The Colin Tizzard-trained Native River enhanced his Gold Cup credentials with an impressive three and a quarter-length demolition job over his two rivals in the Grade Two Betfair Denman Chase.
Ridden by Aidan Coleman after Richard Johnson was stood down for the day due to illness, the son of Indian River led throughout the three-mile contest in what proved to be a tactical affair.
Despite making a slight mistake at the water-jump on the first circuit, Tizzard’s charge jumped well throughout and when challenged in the home straight by the outsider of three Le Mercurey, the seven-year-old quickened away with a blistering turn of foot after jumping the last to register a facile success in the Grade Two contest.
Bookmakers were impressed with the performance, making the Brocade Racing-owned gelding a general 7/2 shot from 6/1 for the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.
The race was billed as a match between Native River and the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Bristol De Mai, however the latter never travelled with any real zest and was a well-beaten last of three.
Native River drifted in the market before the race and returned the 11/10 second-favourite. However, he was by far the best horse in this race and looks a serious Gold Cup contender for racing’s Blue Riband event next month with his accurate jumping, speed and stamina-laden qualities cherry ripe for the extended three mile and two furlongs event.
A delighted Tizzard told ITV Racing: “I only think he asked him coming down to the second last. He just nursed him along. It showed he was a bit classier.
“His last two races he went a few lengths clear four out and just held on. We wanted to ride him a little differently and have that finishing spurt at the end and it’s worked brilliantly. He’s gone away at the line. Aidan’s not a bad sub.”
“A three-horse race today I thought we might get outmanoeuvred, but no, he’s got a bit more class and is just a thorough stayer and he’s got a bit of pace as well.”
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