Defi Du Seuil impresses in the Clarence House Chase

The highly anticipated re-match between Defi Du Seuil and Un De Sceaux went the way of the JP McManus-owned seven-year-old, who's now arguably the one to beat in the two-mile division.

Sent off a 11/10 joint-favourite, Defi De Seuil stalked the front-running Un De Sceaux before making his move two from home and asserting his dominance. Willie Mullins' admirable twelve-year-old was five-lengths back in second.

Winning Jockey Barry Geraghty spoke to ITV racing in the wake of yet another big race success and said: "It was very tactical and we didn't go as quick as we'd have liked. He popped the first of the fences coming out of Swinley Bottom, and I couldn't resist giving him a long one at the fourth last I think it was - I had to switch him on and he came on, he came on the bridle"

Geraghty continued, after acknowledging the Defi Du Seuil fan club that welcomed him back into the winning enclosure, and said: "He winged the second last. People think he can't do a lot when in-front but he had no problems today."

A horse capable of both short and middle distance races, Defi Du Seuil holds entries in both the Champion Chase and the Ryanair Chase, although having campaigned over two-miles for the season, it is likely he'll take his chance in the former and try and dethrone the mighty Altior.

Un De Sceaux lost nothing in defeat and will still maintain his strong following wherever he goes, although his handler Willie Mullins provided no clues as to his next target. He said: "I'm disappointed, but thats the way it is. I thought the ground would suit him today but, I'm disappointed. Paul [Townend] just said he didn't fire, we'll get him home and we'll talk about what to do next." 

The other three to line up - Janika, Capeland and Marracudja  - struggled to get involved with the two classy market principals, but the Dan Skelton-trained 66/1 outsider Maracudja ran the race of his life to take third.

Defi Du Seuil is the new favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase as a consequence, being cut in to 2/1 from 3/1, with two-time winner Altior next best in the betting as the 3/1 second favourite.