Duce Geared Towards Gold Run

Il Duce, runner-up to L'Antartique in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, will bid to go one better in the Boylesports version.

Alan King's second-season chaser defied his starting price off 33-1 and only went down by a quarter of a length.

'Il Duce is a very likely runner in the Boylesports.com Gold Cup at this stage,' said King.

'He came out of the Paddy Power Gold Cup very well.

'I haven't done that much with him since he worked last Wednesday but he seems in good order.'

However, King ruled out his other entry, impressive Ascot winner Howle Hill.

'Howle Hill probably won't go for the Boylesports.com Gold Cup,' added the Barbury Castle trainer.

'However, I might well run him in the Jenny Mould Memorial Handicap Chase on the same day.

'I think the Boylesports.com Gold Cup might just be too much of an ask for him at this stage of his career.

'I gave him an entry, but he has only had three runs over fences in his life.'

(C) PA Sport