Bristol De Mai left connections dreaming of a £1million bonus after he bolted up in the Betfair Chase at Haydock - and Sky Bet make the grey a 33/1 chance to land it.
With the first leg of the big treble firmly in the bag, Nigel Twiston-Davies' front-running grey will now head to Kempton on Boxing Day for the King George VI Chase - with the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March the holy grail.
The six-year-old grey was simply awesome as he crossed the line a staggering 57 lengths clear of the gallant Cue Card, a three-time winner of this Grade One feature.
The 11/10 favourite dominated proceedings from flag-fall under Daryl Jacob and never saw another rival to complete a big-race double for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, who also claimed the Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot with Top Notch.
A breathtaking display from Bristol De Mai 🔥🏇pic.twitter.com/SMEyTWKc2n
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) November 25, 2017
Twiston-Davies said: "That was very good. I didn't have to worry about too much. I only had to worry about the last few fences and he jumped them well.
"We've had a brief chat and the idea would be the King George, the Cotswold Chase and then the Gold Cup.
"You might not get this ground (at Kempton), but we'll see. I'm not that worried about it.
"He's always worked fantastically well and he's a supreme horse. He's very much an Imperial Commander type - he's a big, strong, gorgeous horse.
"We was a bit of a rush to get the Gold Cup last year. He was ready, but I don't think he was at his best. From what he does at home you wouldn't think he's improved from last season, but he obviously has.
"He was beaten 20 lengths in the Gold Cup. It's a shame Sizing John isn't here so we could find out (how much he's improved)."
The winner's co-owner Simon Munir said: "That's absolutely amazing. It's wonderful. These are the days that one comes into racing for.
"Just speaking to Daryl and he's in a state of shock. He was saying he wanted to increase the pace. He thought everybody had fallen behind him. To win by 57 lengths is amazing.
"I thought it could be game over when he got in two tight two out, but he's a clever horse and he adjusts himself very well.
"The King George is what we're looking at."
Trainer Colin Tizzard accepted that Cue Card had been beaten by a horse on top of his game.
He said: "I think he's run on par with his other runs. He's just been beaten by a very good horse on the day. The winner blew the race away, really.
"He (Cue Card) jumped round and galloped on and finished second.
"We'll go back home and see how he is."
Sky Bet cut Bristol De Mai to 14/1 for the Gold Cup and 7/1 from twice that price for the King George.
Spokesman Michael Shinners said: "That was sensational, but Cheltenham in the spring asks a totally different question which is why we're keeping double-figure prices available for now.
"Ultimately our customers will have to decide whether they agree with the trainer, who compares him to his former Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander. If they do, the price will go - and quickly."
"As for the King George, that could be more his ticket although in Might Bite and Thistlecrack there are two proven Kempton performers who still rate more likely winners in our book."
