UN De Sceaux bagged another Grade 1 when running out a clear-cut winner of the rearranged Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham.

After being frozen off at Ascot last weekend, the authorities moved quickly to save the race and its star turn did not let his backers down.

Special Tiara and Royal Regatta put the pace to the race early on, but the latter had soon cried enough and Un De Sceaux moved up to join Special Tiara at halfway. Approaching the fourth-last Special Tiara held an advantage, but a flying leap by the Willie Mullins-trained 1/2 favourite saw him hit the front and he would not be headed again.

On the run to the second-last, Uxizandre and Top Gamble briefly threatened but Un De Sceaux had loads left, jumping the last two in fine style to power clear for a five-length win from Uxizandre, who ran a huge race in second.

WINNING STREAK

Defi Du Seuil had no trouble in extending his winning streak to five in the Grade 2 JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial.

Having originally been discarded by Barry Geraghty in favour of Charli Parcs at declaration time, he switched to Philip Hobbs' youngster when overnight rain saw Nicky Henderson pull his runner out.

That meant Defi Du Seuil went off a 1/5 chance and despite putting in a few sticky leaps again, he jumped appreciably better than when winning at Chepstow last time out. Only Rainbow Dreamer could live with him in the straight, but Defi Du Seuil pulled nine lengths clear.

"His jumping got better as the race went on," said Hobbs. "There was no pace, only a few runners so I'm delighted everything went right. He's only ever run on soft, but I don't think he needs it. I don't think good ground would be against him.

"He's very tough, takes racing well and is very straightforward. He's very easy to deal with. Richard Johnson would be the first to admit that he was in front far too soon at Chepstow and that might have been why he jumped like he did in the straight.

"We schooled him the week after Chepstow and he jumped well as he always does at home. He won't run again now before the Festival."

Geraghty said: "He jumped OK, but he can jump better. He pinged the last on his two previous runs here, but that wasn't an option today as the ground is hard work. I don't think we learned any more about him today."