His mount was sent off the 5-2 favourite for the Press Red For ATR Active Handicap Chase and despite some indifferent jumping, the grey galloped on well from the final fence for a two-and-a-half-length victory.

The six-year-old was relegated to last at one point after a sloppy leap, but he recovered and slowly picked his rivals off to beat Witness Run, with the pair pulling 14 lengths clear of Baodai.

Treadwell said: "He was flat out the whole way, but I always thought I was going to get there and the further he has gone the better he has gone.'' Fast Forward was having his first run over fences, and completed an 8-1 double for trainer Venetia Williams, who had been on the scoresheet earlier with Flying Enterprise.

Williams added: "He has been ready to run for a while, but we have been waiting for the ground as he doesn't want it heavy.

"He was novicey at times, but he kept on galloping.'' Only four runners went to post for the Press Red For ATR Active Novices' Chase which turned into a duel between Flying Enterprise and recent Exeter winner Pole Star.

The two had matters to themselves after passing the stands on the "rst circuit and it was the former who went on under Tony McCoy at the fourth-last.

The six-year-old (13-8) then popped the "nal couple of fences neatly to beat the 4-6 favourite by 19 lengths, although the runnerup "nished the race lame behind.

Williams said: "I am chuffed to bits. The plan was to ride him that way and take on Pole Star as he isn't that big but he is brave.'' The Hereford trainer enjoyed a red-letter day by completing a treble with Limerick Boy's victory at Haydock. Noel Chance's policy of giving his jumpers an outing on the allweather after a layoff again worked a treat when Lord Of Beauty plundered the Skybet Press Red To Bet On ATR Handicap Hurdle.

The six-year-old had not raced over timber since April 2005, but had been freshened up with two spins around Wolverhampton and the pipe-openers certainly served him well.

Kelrev held the upper hand jumping the last but the 8-1 shot battled hard up the run-in to squeeze past and land the spoils by threequarters of a length.

Chance said: "This is my "rst runner at the new Ascot and it is great to win here - they do quite a good lunch too!