Sprinter Sacre is now odds-on to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on the back of his easy win in the Tingle Creek at Sandown.
His win was part of a four-timer for trainer Nicky Henderson and the undoubted star of the show, extending his unbeaten run over fences to six in the Grade One feature.
Much had been made of the showdown between Sprinter Sacre and the Paul Nicholls-trained Sanctuaire but it turned into a one-horse race.
Ruby Walsh set out to make all the running aboard Sanctuaire and built up an eight-length advantage at one stage, but Sprinter Sacre reeled him back in with the minimum of effort to take charge three fences from home.
Barry Geraghty’s mount was then barely out of second gear as he pulled away from the toiling Sanctuaire to run out a 15-length winner without really coming off the bridle.
“He has got the ‘wow’ factor,” Henderson said.
“I knew that I had something a bit special and I just wanted it to stay that way.
“That’s as good a two-mile chaser as you’ll ever see.
“He will probably go for the Victor Chandler and Cheltenham, I don’t know for sure, but there aren’t that many options and then on to Aintree or Punchestown.”
Paddy Power immediately shortened Sprinter Sacre from even money to 1-2 for the Queen Mother Chase.
