Captain Chris likely to run in Gold Cup

Ascot Chase winner Captain Chris is likely to take his chance in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup next month and could also run at the Punchestown festival in April, according to trainer Philip Hobbs.

Despite thrashing his rivals at Ascot, running out a 19-length winner in the Grade 1 race, Captain Chris is not a certain starter at Cheltenham because he is considered to be at his best running right-handed, as he did at Ascot.

However, on Sunday his trainer said the absence of alternative targets next month means Captain Chris is likely to again run in the Gold Cup, in which he finished sixth last year.