Willie Mullins could have a genuine Cheltenham Gold Cup contender on his hands after Kemboy romped to victory in the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown on Friday afternoon and produced one of the most impressive racing results at this year's Christmas festival.
All eyes had been on hot favourite Road To Respect before the off, but he could only finish third in this race, with Kemboy storming to a seven-and-a-half length win and is now around a 7/1 chance from 33/1 for the Cheltenham Festival showpiece in March.
It had been a tough day for the Mullins camp after a host of fancied runners were beaten, including Faugheen in the Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle, but Kemboy ended the day on a high note as cruising to the front of a quality field he sprinted clear to beat Monalee with aplomb.
Having impressed when winning the Clonmel Oil Chase in his last start, Kemboy was sent off an 8/1 chance for today's showpiece Grade 1, but it's now around that same price he is available for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with only a few names above him in the latest ante-post betting.
In a murky Gold Cup market, Presenting Percy remains at the summit, even though he hasn't been seen on a racecourse this season and opted to avoid today's Savills Chase, while Native River is next in at 5/1, but he was beaten in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, as he looks to recapture the form he showed when winning last year's Gold Cup.
King George hero Clan Des Obeaux is next in the betting, but Kemboy is now a shock candidate to throw his hat into the ring and he could be a premier contender for what is a wide open Cheltenham Gold Cup this year.
