Cheltenham Festival, Day Two: Voy Por Ustedes Wins Queen Mother Champion Chase

Voy Por Ustedes proved too good for last year's winner Newmill and even-money favourite Well Chief as he romped to victory in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase, the feature race on the second day of the 2007 Cheltenham Festival.

The 5-1 shot, trained by Alan King and ridden by Richard Thornton, galloped on strongly to beat Dempsey (20-1) by a length and a half, with River City (33-1) five lengths away in third.

Newmill and Ashley Brook set a furious pace from the off and it was no surprise when there was an early casualty, with Well Chief giving Timmy Murphy a heavy fall. Ashley Brook soon went on and continued to lead until after the third-last, where Dempsey was still going well.

Meanwhile, Voy Por Ustedes was making relentless progress and it was between those two horses at the last that the valiant Ashley Brook came down.

It was a second success at the meeting for King and Thornton following their victory with My Way De Solzen in the Arkle Trophy on the opening day.

"He was a bit forgotten about after his run at Newbury, which didn't go quite according to plan, but we've been thrilled with his preparation and the ground came right for him," said King. "He's a much better horse when it dries up so I was quite pleased when I walked the course this morning and 'Choc' (Thornton) gave him a wonderful ride.

"He got in a bit tight at the second-last, but he stays very well. I was looking forward to today and it's great for the team."

Newmill eventually finished fourth and his trainer John Murphy said: "He ran a cracking race, but he made two bad mistakes, one of which knocked the stuffing out of him. It didn't help us getting taken on by Ashley Brook in the early stages, but I had him every bit as good as last year. Providing he's OK we will look at Punchestown and also Liverpool as he's had a light campaign."

Earlier, Denman erased memories of a short-priced reverse at last year's Festival when running out a thoroughly convincing winner of the Royal & SunAlliance Chase. Ruby Walsh always had the Paul Nicholls-trained 6-5 favourite to the fore in the Grade One contest and the pair soon got into a beautiful rhythm.

In the first race of the day, Massini's Maguire gave the Philip Hobbs team a fine start to day two when causing a 20-1 upset in the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle. Massini's Maguire gamely made all the running and held on from Tidal Bay by a neck, with Catch Me a length and a half away in third.