A disappointing last-start eighth in the Gunbower Centenary Cup was out of character for the now eight-year-old, according to the Charlton trainer.

"He was disappointing at Gunbower, so he would want to improve. That would be the first thing," Thompson said.

"He has been good since. He just had a little bit of a virus after that, and he seems a lot brighter and better this week.

"It seems to have cleared now, he seems good and all the markers say he is alright."

The gelding has drawn barrier five, with reinsman Ryan Sanderson tasked with piloting the son of American Ideal around the tight 712m track.

"Ryan is quite good at finding a spot off the gates, that's one of his strengths as a driver. He will look to find the hole somewhere in midfield," he said.

"Boort is a good forward-running track. I think he will have to look for cover somewhere in the run.

"He might have to come with one run later, which makes it pretty difficult on that little track."

The 58-year-old trainer hopes that Boort gives his gelding the opportunity to return to form.

"This time last year he was racing really well, and he ran fourth in the Charlton Cup which was a Group 3," he said.

"His form since Christmas has been ordinary to be honest. I thought he was going pretty well when he ran third at Swan Hill (two runs back), but his last run at Gunbower made me a bit perplexed."

The squaregaiting feature of the afternoon is the Hon. Peter Walsh MP Boort Trotters Cup.

The Barry Ainsworth-prepared Night Whisperer will take pole position (one), while Double Helix, Andover Sun, Berriesandcherries and Baxter will start off the 10m handicap.