Ark in line for Cheltenham test

Malcolm Jefferson is considering the £150,000 Boylesports.com Gold Cup at Cheltenham for smart chaser Roman Ark.

Jefferson's charge made a winning seasonal reappearance at Haydock in a two-mile handicap chase, in which he defied top weight of 11st 12lb.

Roman Ark is now a possible for the two-mile-five-furlong heat at Prestbury Park on December 15, for which he is a 14-1 chance with the sponsors.

Jefferson said: "There is a good chance Roman Ark will go for the Boylesports.com Gold Cup if everything is in his favour.

"The main consideration is the ground - the softer the better for him.

"He looks to me as if he has come out of Haydock very well and he is just taking it easy at the moment before he starts cantering again next week.

"The horse looks great and doesn't seem to have lost any weight since Haydock."