First Lieutenant© Photo Healy Racing
First Lieutenant is set to compete in his second Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.
The s triking chestnut was third to Bobs Worth in the 2012 renewal, since when he has been a regular in the very best chases.
He has not graced the winner's enclosure since he won the Grade One Betfred Bowl Chase at Aintree in 2013, but the 10-year-old has been unlucky in defeat on more than one occasion since and jumped impeccably in this race three years ago.
Trainer Mouse Morris said: "First Lieutenant will hopefully come over for the Hennessy."