Harry Fry hopeful that In Excelsis Deo can strike against at Cheltenham

In Excelsis Deo, who previously showcased his potential at Cheltenham, will return to the Cotswolds on Saturday with the ambition of capturing the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

That experience could put him in good stead as the six-year-old looks to build on a solid run of performances with another eye-catching showing at Prestburk Park.

His most recent outing at Cheltenham saw him land the Silver Trophy in April and Harry Fry is confident he can put a poor trip to Galway behind him as he returns to his preferred stomping ground.

Fry said: “He was really consistent last season. We campaigned over shorter in the first part of the year, he was really unlucky not to win over two miles and I’m sure he would have done at Sandown (when unseating Jonathan Burke at the last).

“When he was stepped up in trip he was a bit unlucky when a staying-on fifth in the Plate at the Festival, but got his due reward back for his consistency throughout the season at Cheltenham in April when winning the Grade Two Silver Trophy.

“That sort of teed us up for a tilt at Galway, but you can put a line through that and it was over before he’d even started. Now we’re looking forward to taking him back to Cheltenham and we hope he has a lovely racing weight and we hope he can be competitive.”

Following Thursday's declarations, In Excelsis Deo is priced as a 12-1 shot to claim the £84,405 prize.