Beaten Comet and Sony Chase favourite Strong Promise was "absolutely fine" yesterday and remains firmly on course for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Connections were far from disappointed with the gelding's effort in a "fairly predictable" five-length defeat by One Man at Ascot on his first outing for 10 months on Wednesday.

They reckon he is a "bigger, stronger" version of the chaser who won six races - including the Comet Chase itself - last season.

"Strong Promise ate up last night and has been led out this morning for a peck of grass and he seems absolutely fine," said Chris Kinane, assistant to owner-trainer Geoff Hubbard.

"The Gold Cup is next. He will be stepping up in trip but he has got a great, long stride and ran his best races last season over two miles and five furlongs.

"It is five furlongs further in the Gold Cup but I don't think that will be too much of a hassle.

"I think yesterday was fairly predictable. I said to Norman Williamson beforehand that he'd need the run, to give him every opportunity to win but not to be hard on him when that opportunity had gone," he added.

Strong Promise is quoted at 14 to 1 for the Gold Cup.