Lostintranslation is the new favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after winning the Betfair Chase at Haydock under the ride of Robbie Power.
Colin Tizzard's charge pulled clear in a battle to overcome defending champion Bristol De Mai by one-and-a-half lengths at the finish line.
Nigel Twiston Davies' grey had been bidding to win the Grade One for the third successive year.
Frodon was a further 24 lengths behind Bristol De Mai with Ballyoptic in fourth.
He's the real deal alright!
New kid on the block Lostintranslation travels like a dream on just his second start in senior company to land the Grade 1 @Betfair Chase 👏 @haydockraces @colintizzard @Robbie_Power_ pic.twitter.com/GecYKesEFV
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 23, 2019
It's a fourth win for Tizzard in the opening Grade One of the British National Hunt season and first since Cue Card's success in 2016.
"He's just a very, very good horse." @Robbie_Power_ has high praise indeed for Lostintranslation after @Betfair Chase glory.
"I actually got there way too soon. It's just effortless to him," says the top jockey pic.twitter.com/Udui4PgHlJ
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 23, 2019
"I got there way too soon after he travelled so well into the race. Bristol De Mai is a very good horse round here so that was a brilliant performance to beat him," Power told Racing TV.
"We're dreaming of the Gold Cup now. He was a very good novice last season but didn't know how he'd fare in the big boys' league. He's proven how good he is, roll on the King George!"