VOY Por Ustedes dazzled in his new calling as a two-and-a-half-miler as he won the Betfair Ascot Chase by 14 lengths.

The heavy ground in Berkshire had distressed the eight-year-old’s trainer Alan King and he admitted he had considered withdrawing from the Grade One event.

Voy Por Ustedes already has an Arkle and the 2007 Queen Mother Champion Chase on his record over the minimum distance but after he received a battering from Master Minded in the same race last year, King has the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham as the preferred option.

He beat Master Minded over a slightly shorter trip than Ascot’s extended two-mile-five-furlong race at Aintree last April and much of his old swagger was in evidence here.

When Tamarinbleu’s challenge began to waver turning out of Swinley Bottom, it was Gwanako who stepped up to the plate but Robert Thornton and King had no need to panic as Voy Por Ustedes (6-5 favourite) just floated away.

“I have been in a dreadful state all day,” revealed King. “I very nearly didn’t run him because of the ground but we talked about it and decided that at the end of the day win, lose or draw, this would get him spot-on for the March meeting.

“It would have been rather pathetic not to run. I think two and a half probably suits him and helps him jump better these days. He is better right-handed but this fills you with confidence.

“He’s a special horse for the yard. He will be left in the Queen Mother but provided Master Minded is there, he will probably go for the Ryanair.”

Thornton added: “He loved it. I think he felt as good as ever and the ground doesn’t get that deep here. There’s plenty left.”

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