Azertyuiop ran out a brilliant winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival today. His main rival and favourite Moscow Flyer crashed out at the fourth-last fence and Azertyuiop never looked like being headed as he powered over the last three fences.
Former winner Flagship Uberalles ran a blinder in second, with Tiutchev sticking on for third.
The race had been billed as a head-to-head between last year's winner Moscow Flyer, who was sent off the 5-6 favourite, and the Paul Nicholls-trained Azertyuiop (15-8).
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 having to take a pull with three to jump as he tanked along behind the leaders. But his challenge petered out as Azertyuiop steamed on under Ruby Walsh for a nine-length success from Flagship Uberalles (14-1).
Tiutchev (16-1), 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. The way he travelled and jumped, it was just amazing. It was an amazing feeling."