Aghawadda Gold will take his chance in Saturday's Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot even though he is currently 10lb out of the handicap in the Grade Two contest.
The Tom Tate-trained eight-year-old made a most encouraging return to action at Wetherby last month, going under by four lengths to Nordance Prince in the Scott Taylor Appeal Castleford Chase.
Tate said: "I was pleased with him there, he will have learnt from it jumping at that speed, it makes them think quicker. He has gone up 3lb for the run so really he is only 7lb out of the handicap but it is a big prize and we are edging that way.
"We were getting 2lb off Nordance Prince but we will be off the same weight (10st) this time so the question is can we improve enough to trouble him? I think he will come on for the outing, the only thing is that Russ (Garritty) won't be able to do 10st."
"Aghawadda is his ride and I would like him to ride, but we would not want to be another 4lb wrong. We will be leaving that situation until the last minute, but the horse is a good ride and the softer the ground the better for him."
