Captain set for Exeter test
The Philip Hobbs-trained seven-year-old progressed as the 2010-2011 season went on and ended with victories in the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham and the Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown.
Connections of the Diana Whateley-owned gelding are toying with the idea of stepping him up in trip as the winter develops.
“He’s done really well over the summer and he’s a lightly-raced horse who improved all last season,” his regular rider Richard Johnson told At The Races.
“We’re hoping there’s still more to come and if he is cup class he’ll have to go well in a handicap at the start of the year.
“The idea is to get him up in trip through the season. Obviously the King George would be one of his options I suppose if he happens to win on Tuesday. We’ll know a bit more after this race.”
One of his rivals is likely to be Cornas, who is fresh from his first run of the autumn in France when he was second in a Listed chase at Enghien.
“He goes to Exeter and I think he’s going to run very well,” said trainer Nick Williams.
“I’m very happy with him and he ran a perfect race in France earlier this month.
“I think he’s in really good form, so we look forward to Tuesday.”
