The veteran has been campaigned almost solely over cross-country courses since joining the West Witton handler, but his form tailed off somewhat towards the end of last season.

Murphy reports the 12-year-old to have safely arrived in the Czech Republic and insists he can improve on last year's effort.

"Ivoire De Beaulieu arrived at the track on Wednesday and he has travelled over absolutely fantastically," said the trainer.

"He ran a blinder to finish fourth last year and I think his preparation has gone much better this time around – he is a lot straighter. We are very hopeful of a big run."

Declan Carroll is praying for rain to improve Hits Only Vic's chances of glory in the totesport.com Cesarewitch at Newmarket on Saturday week.

The four-year-old gelding has shot up in the ratings from 60 in May to a current mark of 97, winning five of his last nine starts and finishing second in the other four.

However, Hits Only Vic gets in the second leg of the Autumn double on a mark of 82 though he does have a 4lb penalty, bringing his weight to 8st 1lb.

"We'll be looking for some rain, obviously we'd like to have soft ground," said the Driffield trainer of the 12-1 third favourite.

"He's an improving horse. When we got him we always liked him. He had a bit of a hold-up after his first run for us last year hence he didn't run for a while.

"When I got him he was on 46 now he's up to 97. It's smashing and there's probably a bit more to come.

"He's just ticking over now and we're looking forward to it. Any rain that falls would be appreciated."

Kauto Star will attempt to regain his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown back from stablemate Denman as a fresh horse with trainer Paul Nicholls planning to send him straight to the Festival after a run over Christmas.

Clive Smith's eight-year-old has a third win in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day on the agenda, after which he will be saved for the totesport-sponsored blue riband on March 13.

The eight-year-old took in the Aon Chase en route to the success in the Gold Cup in 2007 while this year he landed the First Commercial Ascot Chase before following home his stablemate at the Festival.

Nicholls said: "He looks fantastic and I think he is as good as ever. He took time to find his form last year but this year Clifford (Baker, head lad) has been astonished by the way he has been working.

"If the ground and track are right then he will start off at Down Royal on November 1, and if he misses that then he will go to the Betfair Chase at Haydock later that month.

"He then has four or five weeks to the King George and we will then keep him fresh and go straight to Cheltenham."

In contrast Denman will have a run in the build-up to the Gold Cup, with Nicholls eyeing a repeat win in the Aon Chase at Newbury in February.