Kauto Stone (right) gets the better of First Lieutenant© Photo Healy Racing
Kauto Stone emulated his legendary sibling Kauto Star by claiming the JNWine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal this afternoon.
Paul Nicholls claimed the Grade One twice with Kauto Star in 2008 and 2010 and struck again with his half-brother just days after the retirement of the star chaser.
The winner made a big impression when claiming the Grade 2 chase on the card here last term but his form had tailed off slightly last term.
He was back to his very best today, however, as he stepped up in trip for the first time and recorded a game victory in the three-miler.
Gigginstown pair First Lieutenant and Quito De La Roque went head-to-head on the final circuit in the race.
Kauto Stone travelled sweetly to challenge at the second last, however, as did Realt Dubh with four jumping the penultimate fence upsides.
Realt Dubh was the first to cry enough as Kauto Stone soon hit the front. Daryl Jacob had to get done to work on his mount going to the final fence.
Well-backed front-runner First Lieutenant (13/2 into 9/2) proved a tough rival but Kauto Stone was always holding him as he recorded a length victory at the line.
2/1 favourite Quito De La Roque kept on the same pace in third as Realt Dubh just edged the fourth from Joncol
The 4/1 winner was given a 20/1 quote by Sean Graham for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Charlie Leverton, racing manager to owner Robin Geffen said afterwards:-
"The team at Ditcheat have worked brilliantly on him. He's only six. He settled so well today.
"Daryl produced him between the second last and the last and he's absolutely flown it. He rode him brilliantly and gave him plenty of air at the fences.
"The big questions coming here were would he get home and would he settle.
"Last season was great as an introduction and he won a Grade 2 and was second in a Grade 1.
"This season he had to man up and step up. Today is a stepping stone for the season.
"He stayed every yard of the trip in yielding ground and he's a three-miler now.
"We'll have to consider the Lexus and the King George and he'll be entered in all the big Christmas races."
The winning rider added:- "He's improved through the summer. He got the trip no problem and he's getting stronger.
"He did it very nicely - jumped very well and travelled. He got a lovely lead through the race. I think he'll improve again for the run."
(Addtional reporting by Michael Graham)
