Kauto Star is the favourite for next year's Cheltenham Gold Cup

The winner of last month's Betfair Chase over three miles at Haydock dropped back in distance to claim success over two miles at 4-9.

Ruby Walsh's mount started to take control on the back straight.

He pulled clear of Voy Por Ustedes and Robert Thornton three fences from home and jumped safely for the win.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls said afterwards that the six-year-old is still expected to run in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Dempsey took the field along early on from Central House, with Kauto Star in a good position behind the leaders.

But the leader came down at the sixth-last fence, giving jockey Andrew Tinkler a crashing fall and hampering both Hoo La Baloo and Central House.

He's not the kind of horse that needs lots of work Kauto Star's trainer Paul Nicholls

That left Kauto Star in front as Walsh decided to make the most of his proven stamina with Voy Por Ustedes, last year's Arkle winner, the only horse to offer any kind of challenge.

Despite a slight mistake at the second-last fence Kauto Star galloped on strongly up the hill to continue his impressive form with Nicholls delighted with his display.

"I must admit I've never felt pressure like this the last few days," he admitted afterwards.

"People have been coming up to me saying you're brave or you're doing something stupid, but I wouldn't have been running him if I had half an excuse.

"He's not the kind of horse that needs lots of work. You can keep him fresh and keep him ticking over. My head lad rides him every day. He knows the time of day and he never had any doubt about it.

"You don't buy horses to leave them in their box, that's why we've had plenty of winners.

"God willing if he's all right, it will be the King George next. If everything's right he'll be there and if he's not, he won't be."