Beau restored the faith held in him by his trainer when he romped to a record-breaking victory in the Whitbread Gold Cup at Sandown Park today.
The admirable young jumper thumped his rivals by a distance and more to record the longest winning margin in the 43 year history of the race.
Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies had expected a performance like this in the William Hill Handicap Chase at Cheltenham when Beau was beaten by Marlborough.
'He got beaten at Cheltenham and I just couldn't believe it. I thought he was the best thing in the whole world,' he said.
Beau (6-1 co-favourite) led from start to finish and ran and jumped with great zest throughout the testing three miles five and a half furlongs.
He had already stretched clear when his main pursuer Trouble Ahead refused at the third last.
Despite the soft ground Beau was not stopping and maintained a gallop all the way to the line under Carl Llewellyn.
The 100-1 chance Folly Road held Paddy's Return by a head to take second spot.
Beau's task was made easier when Royal Predica, ridden by Tony McCoy, fell heavily. The top weight Young Kenny was also below par and was well out of contention when pulled up by Brendan Powell at the 13th.
Beau was registering his second big handicap victory of the season, having landed the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster back in January.
'I wouldn't say he's improved particularly - it's just that this is the end of the season and maybe one or two of them were past their best,' said Twiston-Davies.
'But I'm delighted for the horse - he's a half brother to Beau Ranger and that's quite an act to follow.
'Maybe he's more than a handicapper but we'll probably try him out in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at the start of the next season.'
Llewellyn said: 'Beau does slightly favour going left but it wasn't a real problem for me today. I didn't really want to lead all the way but Young Kenny couldn't stay with me and I had no option.'
The Queen Mother was given a hearty reception as she presented trophies to the winning connections. Her presence was especially pleasing for Dave Whitbread who struck an #80 bet in 1992 at 250-1 to win #20,000 that the Queen Mother would present the Whitbread Trophy on her 100th birthday.
The original bookmaker has since sold his shop but he agreed to honour the bet if the Queen Mother presented the trophies in her 100th year after the new owner of the betting shop refused to take on the wager. -PA
