ALAN King has confirmed Hold On Julio will head straight for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on December 1 following a highly encouraging comeback run at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The lightly raced nine-year-old disappointed when strongly fancied for the JLT Specialty Handicap Chase at last season's Festival, but following his summer break, Hold On Julio finished an excellent third in a competitive event at Prestbury Park over the weekend.
"I was delighted with Hold on Julio and the horses are definitely starting to come to the boil," the Barbury Castle trainer told alankingracing.co.uk.
"There is not really a race for Hold On Julio before Newbury, so we will keep him back for the Hennessy and hope that we get in with a nice handy weight."
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