English Racing:Kauto Star shone magnificently at Sandown Park on Saturday as he produced a high-class display to capture back-to-back runnings of the Tingle Creek Chase.

He marked his coming of age with victory at the Esher venue 12 months ago and in defeating last season's Arkle winner Voy Por Ustedes by seven lengths this time, Paul Nicholls' crack six-year-old pushed himself further clear at the top of the chasing tree.

A faller in the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March, Kauto Star has proved a revelation this winter with imperious displays over longer trips at Aintree and Haydock. The extra distance appeared to unlock untapped quantities of class, but Nicholls insisted beforehand there was no gamble dropping back to two miles ahead of the King George VI Chase on St Stephen's Day.

And the champion trainer was proved right as Kauto Star travelled like a dream and was hardly out of a canter to take his second Grade One of the season under Ruby Walsh.

The departure of Dempsey's rider at the eighth fence left the two big guns out clear and they raced to the Pond Fence - three from home - locked together.

But a quicker leap from Kauto Star propelled him forward and he eased away to survive a slight mistake at the second-last and triumph as the 4-9 favourite.

King George sponsors Stan James cut him into 8-11 favourite from 5-6 for the Christmas feature, with William Hill shortest at 8-13 and Blue Square most generous at 4-5.

Cashmans left him unchanged at 9-4 for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, while William Hill, Coral and VC Bet offer 5-2, Ladbrokes 3-1 and Blue Square unchanged at 7-2.

"He is just a very special horse. I have ridden so many good horses in my time, but this one is definitely the best," said Walsh.