Tuesday 18 October 2016 09:24, UK
Fox Norton, third in the Arkle Trophy at this year's Cheltenham Festival, is set to make his seasonal debut at Prestbury Park on Saturday.
Trainer Neil Mulholland reports the six-year-old ready to return to action in the Randox Health Handicap Chase.
Fox Norton ended the last campaign with victory in a Cheltenham novice chase after taking minor honours behind Douvan for a second time at Aintree.
"He'll be a likely runner," said Mulholland.
"He likes Cheltenham. He ran great round there last year. He's done well over the summer, he's fit and ready to go."
Former smart staying novice hurdler Shantou Village, who made a winning debut over fences at Fontwell in August, could bid to follow that up in the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Novices' Chase on Saturday.
Mulholland is favouring that two-and-a-half mile race for the six-year-old rather than Friday's Ryman Stationery Cheltenham Business Club Novices' Chase over an extended three miles.
"He's in on Friday and Saturday and I'd say we'd look at Saturday," said the Wiltshire trainer.
"He's had one run recently and we've been happy with him. He's in good form."
However, Mulholland feels the ground might not be suitable for The Young Master to have his first run of the campaign.
The seven-year-old, who signed off last season by winning the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown, holds an entry in the Randox Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.
"I think the ground might be a bit quick for him on Saturday," said Mulholland.
"We'll keep an eye on the ground, but it's nice to think that they're getting ready to run. There are plenty of options for him. He's done well over the summer."
