Richard Hobson© Photo Healy Racing
Richard Hobson reports Cheltenham regular Fugitif in fine spirits ahead of returning to Prestbury Park for the Paddy Power Gold Cup.
The nine-year-old was fourth behind Stage Star in last season's renewal before going on to secure a thrilling success in the December Gold Cup.
He also ran with great credit when third in January's Clarence House Chase, but Hobson feels those exertions took their toll prior to being pulled up in the Ryanair and at Aintree.
However, following a summer break, Fugitif is back on song and set for another crack at Paddy Power Gold Cup glory on November 16th.
Hobson said: "It's all set for him to go for that. He's in good order, it's all good with Fugitif and we can't wait.
"He had a really hard race in the Clarence House, which was really just to sharpen him up for the Festival, but he ended up leaving his race there and probably the win in the December Gold Cup.
"So we gave him a long break and freshened him up and we're looking forward to getting him going again.
"He loves Cheltenham, he was maybe just sick of Cheltenham by March, but he's a happy horse at the moment."
Fugitif was runner-up in a trio of high-profile handicaps at Cheltenham two seasons ago, including the Plate at the 2023 Festival.
He finally hit the target there last December by coming from a long way back to pip old rival Il Ridoto on the line, but Robson would rather avoid using the same hold-up tactics again.
He added: "We've tinkered with a few things really, because dropping him out like that isn't what he's really about.
"I think we've sorted that problem now and we'll hopefully see a different horse to what you saw towards the back end of last season."
Stablemate Some Scope is prominent in the ante-post betting for the Boylesports Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at Aintree on November 9 but is set to sidestep that race after being pulled up at Cheltenham on his seasonal reappearance.
"He's had a couple of issues since his race the other day and will be kept on a lower key for his next run," said Hobson.
"He pulled some muscles badly at the second jump at Cheltenham and it was sort of game over from there really."
