Looks like trouble was yesterday morning reported in "excellent shape" by trainer Noel Chance following the eight-year-old's spectacular display in Saturday's Pillar Property Chase.
Looks Like Trouble made all the running in the Cheltenham race and, apart from overjumping at the open ditch going down the far side for the final time and having a look at the last, hardly put a foot wrong as he came home in splendid isolation a distance clear of Go Ballistic.
"Norman came in and said `sorry about the last'. He wanted to pop it but the horse wanted to jump - he'd been long at all the others - and they got their wires crossed," said Chance.
Looks Like Trouble is now likely to head straight for the Gold Cup, for which he is best priced at 6 to 1.
Chance said: "I imagine he'll go straight for the Gold Cup now. Let's hope we can get him there but it's six weeks to the Gold Cup and six weeks is a long time in racing.
"There isn't much for him between now and Cheltenham - I am just about to take him out of the race in Ireland (Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday).
"There is the Newbury race (Aon Chase on February 12th) which is the possible target for See More Business and if we have to take him on I'd rather it was in the Gold Cup."
See More Business won last season's Gold Cup before landing his second King George VI Chase last month by 17 lengths from Go Ballistic. Looks Like Trouble was pulled up in that race and Chance is keen on a rematch.
He said: "I'm a great believer in the formbook and the way we beat Go Ballistic yesterday puts us in with a chance with See More Business."
Double Thriller, trained like See More Business by Paul Nicholls, was pulled up in the Pillar Chase and now faces a spell on the sidelines.
"He's out of training as of now and won't run again until his breathing problems are sorted out," Nicholls said.
He is relishing the prospect of renewing rivalry with Looks Like Trouble in the Gold Cup. "You couldn't help but be impressed by Looks Like Trouble yesterday and I'm looking forward to Cheltenham," Nicholls added.
Last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Hors La Loi III is set to tackle the Stayers' Hurdle rather than the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Francois Doumen outlined his preference for the longer race yesterday, while reporting his charge to be fully recovered from the setback which saw the gelding disappoint on his latest outing at Auteuil.
Doumen said: "He needs a race before Cheltenham but I haven't chosen it yet.
"I'm pleased with him, he's on course for the Festival and I fancy the Stayers' over the Champion that bit more, although nothing will be decided until I have consulted his owner."
Doumen has two other possibles for the Festival in Erintante and Snowdrop, who is on target for a crack at the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle.
Doumen said: "Erintante will probably go for the long distance handicap hurdle at Cheltenham and I'm sure Snowdrop will improve on her run at Sandown which was her first since November."
Doumen is keen to run Djeddah in the Grand National providing the ground isn't soft at Aintree.
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