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Stan put a couple of below-par runs behind him to land the valuable Chase Handicap at Cheltenham.

Hammered by the handicapper after two wins last spring, he was well beaten in the Castleford Chase at Wetherby only five days before.

However, when Aidan Coleman sent him to the front turning into the straight the Venetia Williams-trained 14-1 shot looked as if he had just joined in.

He bounded clear to beat Fier Normand by 11 lengths with 9-2 joint-favourite Hold Em in third.

"He jumped brilliant and travelled brilliant,'' said Coleman.

"He's special to me this horse, he gave me two big winners last season here and at Aintree.

"He's just shown today what he is about. That was a really good performance, he really quickened turning into the straight and went away from them like a good horse.''

Williams said: "We are seeing the best of him at the ripe old age of 10.

"He showed stamina over two miles five today and I think he might well get three miles round here, which gives us extra options when he comes back to the Festival in March."

Sporting Life / Eurosport