Un De Sceaux© Photo Healy Racing
Connections of Un De Sceaux feel Saturday's display at Ascot sets him up perfectly for the "final" at Cheltenham in March.
Willie Mullins' eight-year-old was faultless in winning the Sodexo Clarence House Chase, stylishly beating former champion Sire De Grugy in preparation for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
Un De Sceaux maintained his record of never having been beaten when he has stayed on his feet and after a rather unexceptional first half of the season, when forced to miss the Tingle Creek and falling at Leopardstown, he never put a foot wrong at the weekend.
Colm O'Connell, son of owner, Edward, said: "That was the performance we'd been waiting for, it was an absolute masterclass from horse and jockey (Ruby Walsh).
"I thought that was his best ever display. Running to the last Sire De Grugy's petrol tank was empty, and we know how good a horse he is.
"Lots of work has gone into him at home since the early days for him to become like it and it gives us options.
"We needed a run like that after missing the Tingle Creek and falling at Leopardstown, but he was absolutely brilliant.
"Ruby rode him with pure confidence, he just waited approaching two out and then pressed the button.
"His jumps at the last two showed how much he had left.
"He's only eight, we're still finding out about him but he's never been beaten when he stood up.
"We've won the semi-final and now we can look forward to the final in March."
