The Real Whacker will head straight to the Cheltenham Gold Cup following a weather interrupted start to the new year at trainer Patrick Neville’s Wensleydale yard.

After winning the Charlie Hall at Wetherby and finishing fourth in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day for the second year in succession, The Real Whacker looked set to head to Cheltenham on Saturday week for the Cotswold Chase, having filled the runner-up spot behind Capodanno last season.