Vautour© Photo Healy Racing
Ryanair Chase favourite and leading Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Vautour may have another run before heading to the Cheltenham Festival.
While plans have yet to be firmed up as to which race the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old will contest at the Festival, connections have not ruled out the possibility of giving him an outing next month.
Having failed to impress everyone in the Stella Artois 1965 Chase on his return at Ascot, the Rich Ricci-owned gelding was only just denied on his first try over three miles when collared in the dying strides of the King George at Kempton.
Joe Chambers, racing manager to owner Rich Ricci, said: "I think we might look at getting another run into Vautour if there is a suitable race.
"There are a couple of options in February, but we will let Willie (Mullins) decide where the horse goes.
"It was a pretty tough race at Kempton but, touch wood, he has had no issue since."
Chambers confirmed last year's Gold Cup runner-up and current favourite for this year's renewal Djakadam remains on course for Cheltenham's Grade Two BetBright Trial Chase next weekend.
He said: "Djakadam is set to come over to Cheltenham on Trials Day. He has just had the one run this season at Punchestown and he looked pretty good.
"Hopefully he is one of the fresher horses in the three-mile chase division. It will be good to go back to Cheltenham to get a bit more experience."
