Nicky Henderson (trainer of Vaniteux) recorded a double at Kempton© Photo Healy Racing
Vaniteux put in a foot-perfect round of jumping on his way to landing an impressive success in the Starlight Novices' Chase at Kempton.
The six-year-old looked a natural on his first start over fences in the two-mile event as he completed a quickfire double for Nicky Henderson.
Dictating matters from the outset in the hands of Nico de Boinville, the 8-11 favourite was never under any serious pressure from his four rivals as he registered an emphatic 19-length success from Qewy.
Paddy Power reacted with a 10-1 from 16-1 quote for the Arkle Trophy.
Henderson said of last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle third: "He has got such a good stride and an awful lot of scope and the gears to go with it.
"That was about as natural as you could get. He nearly could have done this last year, but he had only had four runs over hurdles.
"We said we would stay hurdling and he was second in the Greatwood and the International. It was a tough year. He had a very productive year without winning a race. It was just a case of marking time until we did this.
"It is all going to be geared to that at the end of the day (spring festivals). He has got plenty of gears and the Wayward Lad (Kempton on December 27) could now easily be the target."
Henderson kicked off the day with victory courtesy of Brain Power in the Coolmore EBF Stallions "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle.
Last seen finishing down the field in a Grade Two bumper at the Aintree festival in April, the four-year-old wasted no time in getting off the mark over hurdles in the two-mile contest.
Travelling kindly off a sedate pace, the 7-4 favourite took matters up from Theo's Charm over the second-last before opening up a decisive advantage.
Although Two Taffs threw down a serious challenge after the final flight, he could not quite get on terms with the Michael Buckley-owned gelding, with a length separating the pair at the line.
Paddy Power introduced the winner at 33-1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
Henderson said: "This race has been a bit of a 'Jonah'. West Wizard started off odds-on in it twice and got thumped every time.
"We were going to run William Henry in it, but he will go to Newbury on Friday instead. It was a slightly messy race and I don't think we learnt a lot from it, but he is a nice horse.
"They've absolutely crawled, which is a shame. He has got lots of pace and he will quicken well off a good pace. I think he would enjoy himself more if they were going that little bit quicker."
