War of Attrition was an impressive winner at Cheltenham

Conor O'Dwyer's mount, who is being aimed at another Gold Cup tilt, claimed an 11-length win in the Star "Best For Racing" Chase.

Paul Carberry briefly looked threatening on Watson Lake turning into the straight.

But O'Dwyer allowed the seven-year-old an inch of rein and coasted clear.

"He was there to be knocked down, but has won well," said relieved trainer Mouse Morris after the race.

"This is a step towards March and it is a privilege to have a horse like this. They went such a good gallop that I thought he might blow up, but he is much more a man of a horse now and has got much stronger.

"He'll probably go to Down Royal for the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Chase in November or he could run in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown in December instead. "I'd prefer to keep him at home until March if I can and we'll look at the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas instead of the King George unless something goes drastically wrong.

"He doesn't act on heavy ground, but soft is fine and I'll probably do the same as last year and give him a break between January and February."

O'Dwyer was also thrilled with the horse's performance.

"I was delighted with him. He jumped super and travelled well. They went fast enough and went a good gallop," he said.

"He has definitely strengthened up and looked that way when he came back in after the summer."