Strong Flow made just one jumping error

The six-year-old novice, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Ruby Walsh, won by 14 lengths, one of the biggest distances in what is usually a fiercely competitive race.

A handful of horses turned into the straight in a line but a superb jump at the second last gave Strong Flow the advantage and from then on, the result was never in doubt.

He had made a bad error at the ninth of the 21 fences but Walsh hung on well and the gelding put in an otherwise flawless jumping display.

Joss Naylor was second while Take Control pipped Hedgehunter on the line for fourth.

The 2005 Gold Cup is the aim Paul Nicholls, trainer of Strong Flow

There was drama in the early stages when top weight One Knight fell at the first fence, bringing down Take The Stand, while the well-fancied Sir Rembrandt went at the third.

Inevitably there was immediately speculation that Strong Flow would be aimed at this season's Cheltenham Gold Cup but winning trainer Nicholls said that was not the plan.

"The 2005 Gold Cup is the aim," said Nicholls, who won the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup twice as a jockey.

ON THE MARK Strong Flow was one of our man Honest Frank's six to follow for the jumps season Honest Frank's selections

"He is a novice, a six-year-old, and we will look after him this season.

"We will stick to the normal novices' route, and probably go for the Royal & SunAlliance at Cheltenham."

Earlier in the day, champion staying hurdler Baracouda looked very impressive on his seasonal reappearance, winning the Ballymore Properties Long Distance Hurdle.

Ridden by regular jockey Thierry Doumen, the 4-9 favourite eased away from Deano's Beeno, who was also the last horse to beat him, to win by seven lengths.

Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup Chase
Newbury, 3m 2�f

1 Strong Flow (R Walsh) 5-1jf
2 Joss Naylor (B Geraghty) 6-1
3 Take Control (A McCoy) 25-1
4 Hedgehunter (D Casey) 9-1
21 ran. Dist: 14, 1�

Ballymore Properties Long Distance Hurdle
Newbury, 3m �f