Aachen (12-1) defied his advancing years when jumping his rivals into submission in the Ryman Stationery Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
Aachen (12-1) defied his advancing years when jumping his rivals into submission in the Ryman Stationery Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
Sent straight into the lead, the 11-year-old never saw another rival as he followed up his victory from the front at Wincanton eight days ago.
Vieux Lion Rouge saw his quest for a four-timer come to a halt when tipping up three out, leaving just top-weight Wonderful Charm to head off in pursuit of Venetia Williams' runner. Maintaining his gallop resolutely, Aachen came away to score by 17 lengths and hand jockey Charlie Deutsch his first winner of the season.
Williams said: "Charlie joined us this season. I actually tried to get him 18 months ago but Charlie Longsdon gazumped us. I managed to get him this season and he has given the horse a super ride.
"He rode him with bags of confidence and allowed him to do what he does best, which is gallop and jump.
"It was probably a bit too soon for him, but it was a race that he only had a 5lb penalty for. It helped that the handicapper put us up 9lb, as it turned out he didn't get in the weights but it was not a particularly hotly contested race in terms of numbers."