Defi Du Seuil showed his superiority at the business end of proceedings to reinforce his Cheltenham Festival claims in the Matchbook Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
Philip Hobbs' stable star had narrowly beaten Un De Sceaux in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown last month - and confirmed the form in emphatic fashion.
Ranging alongside the gallant Un De Sceaux at the second-last fence with the rematch on in earnest, Defi Du Seuil (11-10 joint-favourite) jumped into the lead under Barry Geraghty.
And he pulled away from his market rival between the final two obstacles to score by two and three-quarter lengths.
Un De Sceaux - a three-time winner of the Grade One showpiece - stuck to his guns to be second, with Marracudja third.
