Brain Power is second favourite with Sky Bet for the Racing Post Arkle after impressing at Kempton on Monday.
Nicky Henderson's charge was fancied for the Champion Hurdle in March and made a near-flawless fencing debut in the racinguk.com Novices' Chase.
Sent off at just 13-2 at Cheltenham against the likes of Buveur D'Air and Yanworth, he looks set to go right to the top over fences.
While only four went to post, two of his rivals, Winter Escape and War Sound, had shown very decent form in handicap hurdles, but they could not live with the 1-2 favourite.
When allowed to stretch on down the back straight, the six-year-old put in some mighty leaps and was clever when the stride was not there.
David Mullins, who rides most of owner Michael Buckley's horses, allowed his mount to coast home 28 lengths clear of War Sound.
Henderson was delighted with Brain Power's first effort in public over the bigger obstacles.
"He's been very good at home. He'd schooled well and he jumped well today," said the Seven Barrows handler.
Footpad is 5/1 favourite for the Arkle with Sky Bet with Brain Power an 8/1 chance.
