CUE Card secured a ninth top-level success as the Colin Tizzard-trained 11-year-old roared to a 15-length cruise in the Ascot Betfair Chase.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup hopeful was in top form on Saturday under jockey Paddy Brennan, justifying his 4/9 favouritism.

Cue Card stayed on the heels of Royal Regatta until a superb jump at the fourth last saw him pull level with the leader before racing clear and easing home.

A delighted Tizzard said: “It’s nice to see his well-being, really. After the last race (defeat to stablemate Thistlecrack in the King George VI Chase in December) he was a bit wrong and had a big, fat leg and we said he wasn’t right, but he has been perfect all the way through.

“He’s 11 and you wonder, ‘how many times can he keep doing this?’ but he’s back again. He jumped beautifully, he destroyed them. It was everything you want to see and more.”

Elsewhere on the card, Noel Fehily guided 7/1 shot Air Force One to the Les Ambassadeurs Casino Handicap Hurdle, while Liam Treadwell piloted Tenor Nivernais (6/1) to a 30 length victory in the Keltbray Swinley Chase. Bigbadjohn (8/1) bounced back to form to deny Flintham in a thrilling renewal of the Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase.