'It's quite tempting' - Jefferson weighs up Gold Cup bid with Sounds Russian after fine Cotswold run

Ruth Jefferson is tempted to run stable star Sounds Russian in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30) following his fine effort in the Cotswold Chase at the course.

The eight-year-old continued his rise through the ranks when finishing one and half lengths behind Ahoy Senor, but ahead of fellow Gold Cup hopes Noble Yeats and Protektorat in Saturday's Grade 2 contest.

He is as short as 16-1 with bet365 for the race on March 17, but has an alternative option in the Premier Chase at Kelso before other top-level targets at Aintree in April.

Jefferson said: "He's still in the Gold Cup and it's not a definite plan, but at the same time it's not often you have a horse that's good enough to run in the Gold Cup, so it's quite tempting to have a go. Obviously he'll need to step up quite a bit again.

Sounds Russian (left): was second to Ahoy Senor in the Cotswold ChaseCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"The only other race for him if he didn't go for the Gold Cup would be the Premier Chase at Kelso, where he's won before. That's two weeks before the Gold Cup so you can't do both. There's the likes of Aintree to think about — I don't think there will be anything at Ayr for him. The Betway Bowl at Aintree might be a target too."

Jefferson was thrilled with Sounds Russian's run in the Cotswold Chase and while he is yet to win in Graded company, the Malton-based trainer hopes his encouraging efforts in defeat on his last three starts will be rewarded soon.

She added: "I haven't ridden him since the race and will probably do so on Thursday, but all seems good with him at the moment. We had a slight change in tactics on Saturday, but he ran a nice race and didn't do a lot wrong.

"I've had good horses like him before, but it's great for his owners [Claxby & Co] and the yard. It's nice that he's a very consistent horse because you'll always find something falls your way when you're like that."

3.30 Cheltenham, March 17, Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup

Bet365: 5-4 Galopin Des Champs, 6 A Plus Tard, 7 Noble Yeats, 8 Bravemansgame, 10 Conflated, Ahoy Senor, 16 Protektorat, Sounds Russian, 20 bar

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