LIMPLEY Stoke trainer Neil Mulholland was thrilled with The Druids Nephew's performance at Cheltenham on Saturday when second to Sam Winner.

A winner at Huntingdon on his first start for the yard, he was racing off a 9lb higher mark in a better class of race yet he produced a career-best effort in defeat.

That was his first run over a trip in excess of three miles, but he ran on gamely up the hill to be beaten just over a length and the Hennessy Gold Cup is now a possibility.

"He came out of the race in good form," said Conkwell Grange Stables handler Mulholland.

"He's been put up 6lb today which means he's gone up just over a stone in two runs for us.

"The Hennessy is a possibility. All he does is jump and stay. I was pleased he jumped straight on Saturday as he'd gone quite a bit to his left first time.

"Now we know he stays those trips he's got options, he galloped up the hill well.

"In time he could be a National horse but he's only young still so that doesn't have to be this year.

"I've put him in the Welsh National and that's another three furlongs. I'm not saying he'll run in it, though. We've got to cross the Hennessy bridge first."

Meanwhile, Mulholland's The Young Master will try to make the headlines for all the right reasons at Ascot on December 20 in the Mappin & Webb Silver Cup Chase.

The five-year-old hacked up in the Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton but it transpired after the race he was not qualified to run having only had two previous outings over fences.

He was subsequently disqualified but the handicapper still handed a 14lb rise in the weights.

One silver lining for Mulholland was at least the Wincanton run counted as his third chase outing, despite him being disqualified.

"He'll go to Ascot on December 20 for a Listed Handicap with the same conditions as the Badger Ales," said Mulholland.

"We've also put him in the Welsh National.

"The Ascot race is over three miles, there's great prize money (£100,000) and is over five furlongs less, though, so that would be favourite.

"He's only a five-year-old so his future is hopefully ahead of him.

"Barry (Geraghty) gave him a great ride at Wincanton, he just hunted him round on the outside. He'd done that in the previous race and asked me if he could. I told him to do what he felt best and the horse would be there at the business end."