Shan Blue extended his unbeaten sequence over fences with a decisive victory in the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton.

Dan Skelton’s six-year-old was winning his third race in succession since beginning his chasing career this season, being up with the pace throughout and often jumping with great fluency to prevail by three and three-quarter lengths from The Big Breakaway.

The 7/4 favourite, ridden by the trainer’s brother Harry, was just a length in front at the last so needed another good jump – and duly got one, while runner-up The Big Breakaway made a mistake and stumbled on landing.

Shan Blue then stayed on impressively – with If The Cap Fits, who had struggled to stay in touch early on, rallying late to snatch third.

Skelton said: “When you need him for a big jump to maintain a lead or maintain an advantage in a race, he is there for you.

“The reason he is a good horse is that he jumps well. He was better than average as a hurdler, but not by much — now he is a chaser you are seeing a really good horse and that is because he is a good jumper.”

"I think with that in mind you have got to be mindful that coming back in trip is probably more sensible. He will be entered in both (Marsh Novices’ Chase and RSA) and we will go to the Scilly Isles perhaps on the way.

“He has got a Grade 1 penalty now, so we don’t need to be shouldering him with massive penalties in normal novice races and at the end of the day he has proved he can do it.”

Connections of the runner-up were also pleased with the performance and confirmed that The Big Breakaway remains on course for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.