Champ back with a bang

Azertyuiop made an impressive reappearance to defy top weight in the William Hill Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter today.

Last season’s Queen Mother Champion Chase winner led at the second-last in the hands of Ruby Walsh and the 6-4 favourite went on to win comfortably by five lengths from Seebald, who was receiving 18lb.

Kadarann, like Azertyuiop trained by Paul Nicholls, was six lengths away in third.

Edredon Bleu trailed in a well-beaten sixth.

Winner of this Grade Two contest for the past two years, Edredon Bleu set off in front with Jimmy McCarthy replacing the injured Jim Culloty in the saddle.

Although he jumped with his usual fluency, the 12-year-old may not have been suited by the soft ground and he was headed at the fifth-last by Kadarann.

Seebald and Kadarann battled for the lead but Walsh had the pair in their sights and brought Azertyuiop to challenge three from home.

Taking a clear lead at the penultimate fence, the seven-year-old showed that he will be a tough nut to crack in the top two-mile races this season by winning with some authority despite his welter burden.

His victory was in stark contrast to his fate in this race 12 months ago when he parted company with Mick Fitzgerald at the first fence.

Bookmakers were suitably impressed with Ladbrokes cutting Azertyuiop to 6-4 from 2-1 to repeat his Champion Chase success.

“He’s a machine and we think he’ll be the first horse since Viking Flagship to win back to back Queen Mothers,” said Balthazar Fabricius of Ladbrokes.

A delighted Nicholls said: "That was just the job - he'll be hard to beat now. And it wasn't his ground.

Walsh said: “I probably got there there sooner than I would have liked but this horse is so good that you can’t go fast enough for him. He was a bit keen in the first half of the race but I was aware that the going was softer than ideal and I did my best to keep him out of trouble.”

And Azertyuiop’s owner John Hales added: “That’s class – giving away the weight in the ground. It was a fantastic performance and will set him up for the Tingle Creek.”