Time For Rupert pokes his head out of his stable at Paul Webber’s Mollington yard, near Banbury, as if he hasn’t got a care in the world.

“He is very laid back. He is lovely to ride and loves his work,” says groom Danny Hannig as he busily applies the final touches in preparation for the eight-year-old’s daily exercise ahead of the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.

With everything in place, Hannig leads the chestnut gelding outside, before nimbly utilising a flight of three steps on a neighbouring building to get aboard.

Moving into the indoor school, he joins ten stablemates including fellow Cheltenham Festival hopefuls Alasi (OLBG Mares’ Hurdle, today), Lemon Drop Red (Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, tomorrow) and Cantlow (Pertemps Final, Thursday).

With Webber directing operations, a walk becomes a trot before the second lot pull out for the Cropredy Lawn gallops.

The 53-year-old trainer leads the way in his Land Rover, and with terrier Peaches perched at his side, he speeds up the sharp half-mile incline.

At a good canter, the string stream by in Indian file, before returning to the foot of the hill and repeating the exercise with Time For Rupert this time in company with Endofdiscussion.

“He schooled yesterday under Denis O’Regan (big-race jockey) and he went very well,” says Webber.

“And he did a good bit of work last week in the fog at Newbury.”

For the trainer, the 50-1 outsider will be a first runner in chasing’s blue riband, but how does he assess the race?

“Terrifying,” he exclaims as he drives back to the yard. “They are going to go very fast and I think there are going to be a lot of runners.

“It is great excitement, tremendous excitement. It is lovely to be making entries in this sort of race.

“If he is third we will be completely thrilled, and if he is fourth or fifth we will be delighted and it will be good experience.

“Next year we will look at the National – we didn't put him in this year as he is only eight.

“Depending on what happens at Cheltenham he might end up going for the Scottish National this year.”

Twelve months ago, Time For Rupert was a hot Festival favourite for the RSA Chase after winning his two first two starts over fences in sparkling fashion following a career over timber capped by a highly-creditable second to Big Buck’s in the 2010 Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

However, the bubble burst when he finished fifth behind Bostons Angel, although he was subsequently found to be ill.

“The thing about Rupert was that he was very impressive in his novice chases last year, but they don’t appear to be a vintage crop,” says Webber.

“We could say we were slightly flattered last year.”

And this season his form has produced mixed messages, with a runners-up spot to Weird Al in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby followed by being run off his feet behind Kauto Star in Haydock’s Betfair Chase.

A cosy victory over The Giant Bolster at Newbury seemed to get Time For Rupert – who retained his nickname after owners, the Littlecote Racing Partnership, couldn’t come up with anything else – back on track.

But then he was a somewhat lacklustre fourth to Midnight Chase in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham.

Reflecting on that run in January, Webber adds: “I have a feeling. I don’t know if it is true. I am probably mad. I half wonder whether last time at Cheltenham he was wondering what happened last year.

“There was a part of the race where he was looking to struggle, and then he ran on really well up the hill.

“Whether he was a bit reticent, I don’t know. If he got more confidence from that race I hope he will travel better. That is the theory, but how do you prove it?”

The theory is about to be put into practice . . .