The grey Al Ferof pictured winning the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham 2011© Photo Healy Racing
Al Ferof will run in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Trainer Paul Nicholls has given the seven-year-old grey the go-ahead after a satisfying workout on Sunday morning.
He told his Betfair column: "Daryl (Jacob) rode him in a two-mile gallop with Doeslessthanme, The Knoxs, and Ted Spread this morning, and that confirmed to me that he is ready to run next weekend.
"He came in late because he cut himself in the field in the summer, but he has come together beautifully in the last fortnight and today's gallop confirmed that.
"He has got plenty of weight (11st 8lb) but he probably deserves it and he goes well when fresh."
Nicholls also said the remarkable staying hurdler Big Buck's, who has won the last four renewals of the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, will work before racing at Exeter on Wednesday.
