Coneygree jumped his two rivals into the ground as the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner made an impressive return to action in the 188Bet Future Stars Chase at Sandown yesterday.

The first novice to win jumping’s blue riband for 41 years when successful in March, he enjoyed a comfortable reappearance to take his 100 per cent record over fences to five.

Nico de Boinville enjoyed an easy lead on the eight-year-old, trained by Mark Bradstock at Letcombe Bassett, near Wantage.

De Boinville said: “It was a really nice, clinical performance.

“I’m delighted with that – it was just what we wanted.

“He felt great. We were in tight a couple of times and he shortened up well.

“He’s just the same old Coneygree.”

Next up for Coneygree will be the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on November 28.

“That’s just what the doctor ordered and hopefully it’s onwards and upwards,” said Bradstock.

“That was great – I’m really pleased.

“I was a little tense, to say the least, and I wanted to get the first run out of the way.

“It was not a total walkover but he put them to shame with his jumping and his galloping.

“The Hennessy is the plan and we’ll go from there.

“We’ve got to give a bit of weight away, but we’ll give it a go as others have done it before.”