Azertyuiop wins Queen Mother Chase

Azertyuiop, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Ruby Walsh, won the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham this afternoon.

His main rival and favourite Moscow Flyer crashed out at the fourth-last and Azertyuiop (15-8) never looked like being headed as he powered over the last three fences.

Former winner Flagship Uberalles (14-1) ran a blinder in second, with Tiutchev (16-1) sticking on for third.

The race had been billed as a head-to-head between last year's winner Moscow Flyer and the Paul Nicholls-trained Azertyuiop.

The Irish raider had not been asked a question when he came to grief, making a mess of his jump and giving Barry Geraghty absolutely no chance to stay on.

Remarkably, it was Azertyuiop’s stablemate Venn Ottery who looked the big danger, with his jockey Timmy Murphy seemingly taking a pull with three to jump.

But his challenge petered out as Azertyuiop steamed on under Ruby Walsh for a nine-length success.

Tiutchev, who raced prominently throughout, was one and a half lengths further away.

"I looked back down the hill and I couldn't see Barry. I wondered where he had gone," Walsh told Channel 4.

“I had a super ride, settled great, and I’m just delighted he’s won.

“I’ve been looking for this for so long. I know I’m still alive and kicking now, but it hasn’t been the best day and a half I’ve had.”

Geraghty said: "Moscow Flyer galloped down to it and met it long. I was just sitting on him and gave him a squeeze and he paddled into it, as a horse can do when you're travelling at that speed.

“It’s a pity, but the horse is okay and so am I.”