Gloria Victis booked his ticket for the Cheltenham Festival with an outstanding display under top weight in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton Park today.
Sent straight into the lead by Richard Johnson, the Martin Pipe-trained six-year-old set a good gallop chased by Macgeorge with the rest of the 13-runner field biding their time.
Gloria Victis, the 100-30 favourite, was clear with a circuit to go with several runners already in trouble and, putting in some spectacular leaps, maintained the gallop all the way to the line.
He was briefly threatened by Marlborough as they turned for home but soon shook off that rival to stretch clear and land the #43,500 first prize by 10 lengths.
Marlborough (6-1) held on for second with Bouchasson (20-1) a further 10 lengths back in third.
Pipe was clearly delighted and said: 'The sky's the limit with him. He's really exciting. I've never been so thrilled about a horse before a race as I was about him.
'He's fantastic for a six-year-old and jumped for fun.'
Gloria Victis is 6-1 from 25s with Ladbrokes for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup and the trainer added: 'He's in them all at Cheltenham and the Gold Cup could be a possibility - we've certainly got to consider it now.'
Johnson was standing in for Tony McCoy, who is sitting out a two-day suspension, and was impressed.
He said: 'He's a very, very good horse - the best I've ridden all season. To win like that with that weight was incredible.' -PA
