Azertyuiop reinforced his Cheltenham claims with an effortless victory in the Queen Mother Memorial Fund Game Spirit Chase.
Leading before the third-last fence, the Paul Nicholls-trained star galloped powerfully clear of his stable companion Armaturk to score by 12 lengths. Armaturk had cut out the early pace, but Ruby Walsh was always sitting pretty just behind him on the 4-11 favourite.
This victory, Azertyuiop's first since the Arkle Trophy at the 2003 Festival, was the ideal prep for his next race, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, in which he will face a mouthwatering clash with last year's winner Moscow Flyer.
