Cheltenham Mission On State Radar

Trainer Evan Williams hopes State Of Play can book his place in the totesport Gold Cup with a bold show in the Letheby And Christopher Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The eight-year-old was sixth in the blue riband last season and Williams would like his stable star to have another go in March.

'We will see how we get on in the Letheby And Christopher and then perhaps go straight for the Gold Cup again,' said Williams.

State Of Play, the 2006 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup winner, was fifth to Denman in the Lexus Chase at Punchestown on his latest start.

'He has come out of the Lexus Chase really well and I am happy with him,' added the Welsh handler.

'We looked around at our options and the choice was either carrying a big weight in a handicap or going to Cheltenham and seeing if we can get some of that good prize money that is on offer.'

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