In d’Or will face 13 possible rivals as he goes hunting for compensation in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown after being forced to miss the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals.

The eight-year-old has not disgraced himself since joining Fergal O’Brien’s Gloucestershire yard from Venetia Williams having been sold as part of the David Maxwell dispersal sale.

He finished behind subsequent Reynoldstown Chase winner The Jukebox Kid and Swinley Chase victor Montregard atAscot last time out but in front of Kap Vert, who went on to win the Scottish Grand National over the weekend.

O’Brien said: “We hoped he’d be a National horse but he didn’t quite make it into the National, but he’s been training very well. We missed Cheltenham as he picked up a little niggle. Then we missed the National and this was always the next target really.

“He’ll go there fresh, he’s a light horse and I think the good ground will suit him as well, it’ll be lovely ground.

“We’re going there with really solid form with everything that he’s run against, the horses that beat him have really franked his form. So we’re looking forward to Saturday, we’re hoping we can have a good run for Mr and Mrs May who have been really good supporters of the yard.

Career best runs

“His two runs for us have been career bests for him so he’s improved for every run. In both races the form has been franked with horses running well at Cheltenham and places like that but unfortunately we didn’t get to the Festival but that’s horses for you I’m afraid.

“When he first ran at Sandown he was very much behind the bridle and maybe just got a little bit bogged down. I’m looking forward to him running, he’s in great form, I wanted to try him over that longer trip at Cheltenham but it didn’t work out for him that day so I haven’t really got many concerns over the trip.”

Gary and Josh Moore are double handed with Havaila, who goes in search of a hat-trick, and Invincible Nao.

Kim Muir winner Ask Brewster for Cath Williams and Tom Lacey’s Montregard are also strong contenders at the five-day confirmation stage with Philip Hobbs and Johnson White hoping to follow up their Scottish National success with Livin On Luco.

Jonbon and Thistle Ask are on course for a rematch as seven stand their ground for the bet365 Celebration Chase.

Nicky Henderson’s 12-time Grade 1 winner Jonbon got the better of Thistle Ask in the Clarence House at Ascot with Dan Skelton’s Thistle Ask eyeing revenge after impressively winning four from five for the Alcester handler.

Tough opponents

Skelton also has Aintree winner Mirabad, while Solness, who had an epic battle with Grey Dawning in the Melling Chase at Aintree, could represent Joseph O’Brien.

The field is completed by Alan King’s veteran Edwardstone, Joe Tizzard’s JPR One and Anthony Honeyball’s Brookie.

Skelton’s Kabral Du Mathan is one of eight in the bet365 Select Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs having failed to see out the trip in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.