Trainer Mark Bradstock will let the dust settle on Carruthers’ defeat at Cheltenham on Saturday before deciding whether to let his stable star have a crack at next month’s Gold Cup.

The seven-year-old, from Bradstock’s Letcombe Bassett yard, near Wantage, put up a bold effort to finish a six-lengths second to Taranis – who was receiving 6lb – in the Argento Chase.

Bradstock was more than happy with Carruthers’ effort, and looking ahead to the Festival, he said: “We will see how he is. We have a long break between now and Cheltenham, and we will play it by ear.

“He has ran an absolutely cracking race. It was the first time he has taken on the older horses and he has covered himself in real glory.”

Taranis, who was returning from a 766-day break, added another string to champion trainer Paul Nicholls’s bow for the Gold Cup. Nicholls, who also trains Kauto Star and Denman, said: “It hasn’t been easy, but we have got him here on the day.

“He's a very good horse, but to say I am surprised is an understatement.

“I knew he was fit, but it was just whether he had the engine still.”

Taranis is now a best-priced 33-1 shot for chasing’s blue riband on Friday, March 19, while Carruthers is a 50-1 chance.

Kauto Star is the 5-4 favourite with Denman at 2-1.

Meanwhile, Somersby, the rising star of Henrietta Knight’s West Lockinge stables, near Wantage, could be re-routed to next weekend’s meeting at Doncaster following the abandonment of yesterday’s Hereford card.