Cappa Bleu is likely to go straight for the John Smith's Grand National without another run following his fine effort at Ascot on Saturday.
Fourth in last season's Aintree showpiece, the Evan Williams-trained 11-year-old warmed up for another crack with an excellent second to Vino Griego in the Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Chase, having finished third in the same race 12 months earlier.
"Looking at him, I think we can go there without another run. That will have blown the cobwebs away and sharpened him up. I think we'll sit down and train him for the National now," said Williams.
That was only Cappa Bleu's second run since the big race last April following a trip to Carlisle in November, when he was second to Across The Bay.
"It's always difficult after they've run in the National," said Llancarfan-based Williams.
"We've had a lot of time since Carlisle to get him back to the track and it was great to see him run with such enthusiasm and great to see him stay on in the closing stages.
"The most pleasing thing for me was when he had a couple of cracks on his backside to get down and race, he put his foot down and galloped all the way from the furlong marker to the line.
"It was just nice to get a run like that out of the way because I'd been desperate to run as the weather had been so bad.
"You are always a little bit nervous how they are going to perform on the day, especially when they need it.
"There were only positives to be taken out of the race."
19 June 2013
Perfect Annecdote at AscotGodolphin swoop for Libertarian
Doyle hits treble top on Rizeena
Doyle fits the bill in Hunt Cup
Toronado pointed towards Goodwood
O'Brien keeps faith in Camelot
Kazeem crowned Prince of Ascot
Cambridge Dun and dusted
Perfect Ten in Jersey
Plenty of rain needed for Approval
Banoffee pencilled in for Haydock
Classic rematch in Coronation
Guest has excellent chance
Brittain sweet on Rizeena
Team O'Brien hope for perfect Ten
Chigun aiming for Cambridge glory
Camelot bids for redemption
O'Neill ace proves too sharp
Ballydoyle in command in Coventry
Dawn delivers in thriller
Sole powers to sprint glory
O'Brien sounds War cry
18 June 2013
Stevens is king of the CastleAl Thani snaps up Sandiva
Minute's silence remembers Cecil
Duntle on Cambridge duty
Alive and Just in Ribblesdale mix
Passage heads Gold field
Deegan considers Soprano options
Toro out for Palace glory
Cecil's words not lost on Ponsonby
Dawn out for Palace redemption
Hawkwood supplemented for Hardwicke
Flotilla To Drop Back In Trip
Cecil's Chigun in Cambridge action
Al Kazeem and Camelot clash again
De Kock hoping to make history
War ready for Royal Ascot battle
Kingdom set to reign over Ascot
17 June 2013
Magician set for Palace showdownCat clings on for Carroll
Three more winners for Lady Cecil
Monaghan delivers on Midnight
Treve in stunning Diane win
Sapphire target for Trees
Beckett mulls Secret options
Nicholls has broken wrist
16 June 2013
Songbird aiming to fly highMovie has Newmarket on radar
Fahey juveniles primed for action
Stubbs leads O'Brien Coventry team
Salsify on summer break
Kempton target for Benbulben
Top trio head Palace runners
Shea Shea shoots for Stand glory
Animal heads Queen Anne field
Saint-Cloud aim for Dunaden
Magician to be declared for Palace
Soul all heart in York sprint
Kingsgate rules Musselburgh
Sam too sharp for rivals
Hughes makes it pay with Knight
Balding on mark with double
Morawij in a hurry in Scurry
Bartley is queen for a day
Big guns to clash in Coronation