Ruth Jefferson has admitted that the lure of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup may be hard to resist for her stable star Sounds Russian as she faces a big decision over whether to run her horse at the festival or at Kelso's Premier Chase on Saturday.

Ruth Jefferson is leaving all avenues open for Sounds Russian after opting to enter him for the bet365 Premier Chase at Kelso on Saturday.

Ruth Jefferson will leave Sounds Russian in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup and “chill for a bit” before deciding whether or not to take on Galopin Des Champs in chasing’s blue riband.

Sounds Russian will bid to underline his Gold Cup claims when he runs in the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Ruth Jefferson says Sounds Russian has come out of his last race in fine fettle and will take on Ahoy Senor again in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day.