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The seven-year-old, who fell at the first fence in the same race last year, took the lead three fences from home.

The 6-5 favourite, ridden by Ruby Walsh, comfortably held off Seebald, to whom he was giving 18lb, to win by five lengths.

Kadarann, who like Azertyuiop is trained by Paul Nicholls, was a further six lengths back in third.

Edredon Bleu, winner of the race for the past two years, led for the first circuit and a half but then tired on the soft ground and was pulled up.

Best Mate rider faces fitness battle

He was ridden by Jimmy McCarthy after regular jockey Jim Culloty injured his hand in a fall in the previous race.

Azertyuiop is now a short-priced favourite to retain his Queen Mother Champion Chase crown at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

This horse is so good that you can't go fast enough for him Ruby Walsh on Azertyuiop

His next target is likely to be next month's Tingle Creek at Sandown.

"That was just the job - he'll be hard to beat now. And it wasn't his ground," said Nicholls after Azertyuiop's win.

"I'm incredibly happy with the run, especially as everything was against him. With better ground he'll be even more impressive and we're looking forward to the Tingle Creek at Sandown."

Jockey 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."

However, it was not a good day for Azertyuiop's stablemate Sporazene.

The five-year-old is hoping to emulate Azertyuiop by winning the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham and made a winning debut over fences last month.

But sent off the 2-5 favourite in the Williamhillcasino.com Novices' Chase, he fell at the third last when several lengths adrift of eventual winner Ashley Brook.

William Hill Haldon Gold Cup Chase
Exeter, 2m 1�f