Albertas Cheltenham-bound

Connections of Albertas Run are plotting a return to Cheltenham for the Letheby & Christopher Chase on January 24.

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained eight-year-old returned to form with vengeance on Boxing Day, beating all except Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase.

And the former RSA Chase winner will return to the scene of his finest hour later this month before a tilt at the Gold Cup in March.

"We've had a look at the Letheby & Christopher Chase and the race is a definite possibility for Albertas Run at the moment," said Mick Meagher, racing manager to owner Trevor Hemmings.

"He will also probably be entered in the AON Chase at Newbury and he will run where the ground is better.

"He's fine at the moment and seems to have come out of his run in the King George in good order. I was delighted with his performance there and it was great to see him back doing what he should be doing.

"We had an excuse for his poor run in the Hennessy because the ground was too soft for him but we weren't fully certain that the going was the whole problem.

"He jumped far better at Kempton and he's much more effective on a decent surface.

"The totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup is the obvious aim afterwards. He's won twice at Cheltenham so far in his career and he would go into that race as a live outsider.

"We have to take on the likes of Denman and Kauto Star otherwise it would just be a two horse race."