Sprinter Sacre enhanced his Arkle Trophy claims by running out an impressive winner of the Betfair Super Saturday Chase at Newbury on Friday.
A convincing win over Peddlers Cross at Doncaster last time saw Nicky Henderson's charge jump to the top of the betting for the Arkle Trophy and his victory on Friday further enhanced his growing reputation.
In his first start outside novice company, Sprinter Sacre was settled behind the early leaders but the 2-5 favourite eased his way through the field and took it up down the back straight.
Although he only injected a small bit of pace it proved to be enough and before long the six-year-old had the race at his mercy. Rounding the home turn he was still travelling with supreme ease and Barry Geraghty did not have to move an inch as he landed the Grade One, registered as the Game Spirit Chase, by six lengths from stable companion French Opera.
"I'm not sure I've ever ridden anything like that - he's electric," Geraghty enthused.
"He has scope and travels and when he popped the last it was a relief that he was thinking that way. He jumped so well - he's an unbelievable horse.
"You can never take anything for granted and Cheltenham is a different place. He'd want to switch off as well.
"He popped the last down the back and he was good and clever at the last.
"The main thing I wanted from today was that he went and popped, rather than being flash."
Henderson added: "It is a bit scary really, Barry said he hasn't sat on one so exciting.
"It reminds me of the early days of Remittance Man and he was a narrow bit of wire and this is a lovely old-fashioned chaser.
"I ran him against the older horses to try and get him to settle but poor old French Opera who was doing a grand job in front suddenly had a black aeroplane flying past him!"