Gashed leg puts paid to King's bid

The eight-year-old winner – unplaced in last month's Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham – enjoyed a textbook ride from young jockey Paul Townend, regarded by many as a future champion.

The 12-1 outsider was always going well in behind Sizing Europe and Scotsirish, who set a ferocious pace in the prestigious Boylesports.com Champion Chase

Arkle winner Sizing Europe still held an advantage at the second-last but not for the first time got in a bit tight and relinquished his advantage.

Forpadydeplasterer hit the front momentarily but Golden Silver went past with ease to win by two- and-a-half lengths, leaving Tom Cooper's stable star second again with Sizing Europe third and Kalahari King fourth.

With Davy Russell deputising for the sidelined Graham Lee, Ferdy Murphy's stable star jumped with fluency, and was travelling with consummate ease until a mistake at the fourth last left the nine-year-old with a badly cut leg which put paid to his chances.

His backers will be encouraged, however, that his second fence fall at Aintree earlier this month appears to have been aberration.

"The important thing is that he's okay – but Davy says he would have won on the bridle if it wasn't for the mistake," said Neil Morgan, who owns Kalahari King with his wife Julie.

"Third at Cheltenham, fourth in Ireland, we know that he's still some horse."

Winning trainer Willie Mullins was understandable delighted with Golden Silver's victory. "He's a horse with a lot of ability but he doesn't show us much at home, he saves it for the track. We are just getting the hang of him now I think," he said.

Townend added: "He has huge ability and he keeps a little bit for himself but on his day he is very good."

With Twist Magic, the well-backed mount of champion jockey Tony McCoy, refusing to start, the 15-times champion will be hoping for better luck when he rides Gold Cup runner-up Denman in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup, this evening's feature.