The Giant Bolster (left) finishing third in Gold Cup© Photo Healy Racing
David Bridgwater is relishing a fourth crack at the Cheltenham Gold Cup with The Giant Bolster after declaring himself "thrilled to bits" with his stable star's latest effort at Prestbury Park on Saturday.
The 10-year-old has finished second, fourth and third respectively in the last three renewals of the blue riband, last year beaten just three-quarters of a length in a pulsating finish.
He failed to fire on his reappearance in Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, but fared better when fifth in the Betfair Chase at Haydock and took another step forward to finish fourth behind Many Clouds in yesterday's BetBright Cup.
Bridgwater is adamant his pride and joy will be in even better shape come March and is confident he will be involved in the finish once again.
"I was absolutely thrilled to bits with him. Without winning it or picking up a bit more prize-money, it was the perfect result," said the trainer.
"The pace of the race didn't help. He's a horse who needs to be off the bridle after a mile and he was still cantering after two miles yesterday.
"It looked as though he was going to beaten 100 lengths at the top of the hill and he's ended up being beaten just over seven, so it was a fantastic run.
"We knew even going into the race that he's not quite there yet and that he'd be better on his next run. He's enjoyed himself and finished fresh and well.
"A bigger field and a stronger pace will bring out the best in him in March and I'm not worried about anything.
"He probably prefers a bit better ground, but soft ground isn't really an issue if it were to come up soft.
"If you'd run last year's Gold Cup three times you'd have had three different winners and one of them would have been us.
"I'm sure he'll be there turning in with a chance again this year and we'll just have to see what happens from there."
