Dual Cheltenham winner Vautour has been handed an exciting entry in Ascot's Stella Artois 1965 Chase this Saturday.
The JLT Novice champion is currently favourite for the King George this Boxing Day, and is near the forefront of the Gold Cup market having won three of his four starts over fences – including that scintillating Cheltenham performance. Mullins has also entered Valseur Lido.
Paul Nicholls, winner of this race five times in the last nine years, saddles Ptit Zig under a penalty following for his comprehensive Grade 2 victory at Down Royal and could easily join Vautour in using this race as a stepping stone for Kempton.
Phillip Hobbs has entered previous winner of this 2m 5f contest Captain Chris, who would have been off the track for 644 days if reappearing this weekend. Captain Chris – whose Ascot form figures read 1-2-1 – was last seen when winning a similar contest over this course and distance in february last year. The 11 year old has some impressive form in the book, including an Arkle Chase win and narrow defeats in two King George Chases.
2014 RSA winner O'Faolains Boy is entered to make an intriguing comeback – although he does hold a Betfair Chase entry the same day – on what could be his first start for 596 days. Rebecca Curtis' challenger is another to have a course and distance win to his name.
David Bridgewater could field dual Gold Cup placed The Giant Bolster for his seasonal bow, adding to the class already in the line up.
The field is completed by Open Hearted, Seventh Sky, and Third Intention .
