THE Paul Nicholls-trained Kauto Star won the 21st race of his brilliant career when capturing the Grade 1 JNwine.com Champion Chase for the second time at Down Royal yesterday. The Ruby Walsh-ridden 4-7 favourite was having his first outing since crashing out of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March but was foot-perfect here in jumping his way to the head of affairs at the third-last fence.

The 10 year-old only had to be driven out to beat Sizing Europe by four lengths, with China Rock a further neck away in third. Nicholls was obviously relieved to see Kauto Star back on track.

"That was just the start we wanted and he jumped great today. The ground was quite testing and his stamina won the day. I did a lot of work on him in the spring and his confidence is back. I've left loads of improvement in him and if he doesn't run in the Hennessy at Newbury he'll go straight to Kempton for the King George. We'll decide in a few days whether he runs in the Hennessy and I'll let everyone know."

Mossbank, off the track for 927 days, loomed up large half a mile out but not surprisingly his absence eventually took its toll.

Ladbrokes have cut Kauto Star's price for the King George from 7-4 to 5-4 favourite.

The trainer and jockey combination went on to register a quick Graded double courtesy of 3-1 chance The Nightingale in the Ladbrokes.com Chase. There was drama here when the short-priced favourite Pandorama was withdrawn at the start of the race on veterinary advice and, in his absence The Nightingale faced an easy task in coasting to an 11-length victory.