Un De Sceaux turned in another stunning front-running performance to run out a brilliant winner of the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown.
Unbeaten in seven starts over hurdles, the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old came to grief on his chasing debut at Thurles in November but righted that wrong at Fairyhouse last month.
Sent off the 8-11 favourite for his Grade One debut, Un De Sceaux was soon adopting his customary trailblazing role and some bold leaps kept up the heat.
Gilgamboa was the first to feel the pinch, making a mistake in the back straight, and it was Clarcam who went in pursuit after jumping the second fence from the finish.
However, it was soon apparent he was struggling to bridge the gap and Un De Sceaux found another gear on the run to the final fence to leave his rivals trailing.
An accurate leap sealed his success and he came home a long way clear in the hands of Ruby Walsh.
Clarcam, already a Grade One winner over fences and receiving 10lb from the market leader, was a clear second, but not in the same league as the winner.
Walsh said: "They're two good horses behind him, Gilgamboa and Clarcam.
"It's a tough test here. People don't realise how stiff Leopardstown is" - Un De Sceaux jockey Ruby Walsh
"We went a good, honest gallop. I think the boys thought I might go a bit faster, but I thought I was going plenty quick.
"He jumped really well. He was good and brave down the back, he was very clever at the second-last and he quickened away from them and won very well at the death.
"I'd love the way he quickened off the bend and galloped all the way to the line. It's a tough test here. People don't realise how stiff Leopardstown is.
"For a front-runner that does everything on the bridle and going forward, he does find. He doesn't stop. You know there's a bit in the tank.
"This hasn't been an easy horse to mind, train, ride, anything. To get him where he is now is a job well done."
Comparing Un De Sceaux to some of the other top two-mile chasers he has ridden, the jockey said: "I suppose he's a bit like Azertyuiop. Azertyuiop was forward-going.
"Master Minded was a great ride. Azertyuiop took a bit of riding. He was always on your hands and wanting to go and this fellow is the same.
"I love the way he goes at fences, he doesn't back off."
Walsh went on: "I know from riding him in Auteuil, and even from the day Barry Geraghty rode him in Auteuil, that when you give him a smack there is something in the tank. He's not just a 'flash harry' that when you get after him, he goes to a trot, when you do give him a smack, he does find plenty.
"I was letting him go forward today as he won't be running again before Cheltenham so I was trying to teach him.
"I was letting him go forwards - today was all about 'go' because the Arkle will be all about 'go'.
"He was long at the first down the back and I was giving him the office to go if he wanted to and if he wanted to get in (close) the option was there for him, but he stood at the wings and came."
"He's passed the test today and the Arkle will be his target at Cheltenham." - Willie Mullins
Mullins said: "His jumping was fantastic today and he looked reasonably settled.
"He stood off the first one down the back and got a bit close to the second-last, but otherwise he was very good.
"He's passed the test today and the Arkle will be his target at Cheltenham.
"I was concerned about the ground today, but if anything he was better. He's a bit stronger this year, but is not down to his best racing weight yet. Hopefully on better ground he'll jump better again and faster.
"He was quite calm today and if he can repeat that performance (at Cheltenham) he will be tough to beat.
"He can stand off or he can stand anywhere. I thought he was awesome."
RaceBets make Un De Sceaux the 10-11 favourite from 2-1 for the Arkle at Cheltenham on March 10, with Paddy Power going 4-5 from 2s.
