Annsam provided the Evan Williams stable with a timely tonic when winning the Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot

The Llancarfan yard endured a major blow when losing top-class hurdler Silver Streak to a fatal injury on Friday.

But a week on from the success of Coole Cody in the Racing Post Gold Cup at Cheltenham, Annsam (7-1) provided another notable success.

Adam Wedge always had the six-year-old in the front rank with Cloth Cap sharing the pacemaking duties.

Finding more as the field turned for home with two fences to jump, Annsam kept on resolutely to hold the challenge of Phoenix Way by four and a half lengths. Jerrysback stayed on for third place, five lengths away. Valtor was fourth.

Williams said: “We were only going on breeding and half hoping what he could do over this trip, and I have to admit I was a bit critical of the handicapper after his win at Ludlow last year because I thought we’d just tootled around in a small field race – but I have to admit, he was right.

Annsam was running in the colours of Wayne Clifford, the owner of Coole Cody.

Williams added: “Well this old game is a big old wheel and you have to hang on to that wheel until your turn comes. Mr. Clifford has been a big supporter of the game for a good number of years – he has kept hanging on to that wheel and it appears his time has come.”

Williams also reflected on the loss of the talented Silver Streak, who was being prepped for the defence of his Christmas Hurdle title at Kempton.

“Silver Streak was a very, very good friend to me and was a very good friend to Mrs Fell and an even bigger friend to all the boys and girls in the yard. I can’t begin to tell you how much he meant to us,” said Williams.

“The only way you can get on in this game is to keep looking forward. It doesn’t matter if it is today or racing as a whole. Racing has been through an awful lot over the last few weeks and months, so I suppose it is a new year and we can all look forward.”