Ferdy Murphy is hoping that history can repeat itself as rising star Divers makes his seasonal return this Sunday ahead of his big early season target, the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Entries for the extended two and a half-mile Grade Three handicap chase, highlight of The Open on Saturday, November 12, close at noon on Tuesday.
Murphy sent out L'Antartique to win both the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle and the Paddy Power Gold Cup in 2007, while Little Josh completed the double last year for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.
Divers finished a progressive first season over fences with victory in the Listed Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase, run over the same course and distance as the Paddy Power Gold Cup, at The Festival in March - a race also won by L'Antartique prior to his success at The Open.
The seven-year-old is currently a 10/1 chance with the race sponsor for the Paddy Power Gold Cup.
Murphy said: "Divers is on course for the Paddy Power Gold Cup and he will have his prep run in the Colin Parker Memorial Chase at Carlisle on Sunday.
"It's the same route we took with L'Antartique in 2007 and it would be lovely if lightning could strike twice.
"He has schooled very well and Graham Lee is very pleased with him at the moment. Unfortunately Graham is banned on Sunday, so Keith Mercer will ride him, but hopefully he will be back in the saddle again at Cheltenham.
"We are very pleased with Divers and he will come on for his seasonal return. They are forecast some very wet weather at Carlisle during the week, which won't help him, but I need to get a run into him to blow the cobwebs away."
