Ben Pauling will target the Fitzdares Fleur De Lys Chase at Windsor with Handstands after a small back problem was identified as the reason for his below-par completing effort in last month's Betfair Chase.
A Grade One-winning amateur last season and directly beaten by Resplendent Grey on his Carlisle return, the six-year-old returned to the greatest level with high hopes on Merseyside, however was eventually well beaten as he passed the post last of 4 finishers.
Pauling was adamant that his charge was not at his best that day and intends to see him in a better light at the Winter Million meeting on January 18.
"He ached and we have actually had his back figured out, so we have actually absolutely determined why he hung up the home straight," said the trainer.
"We're still probably going to drop him back in journey in the Fleur De Lys at Windsor. It's a different type of track, however he's in excellent order, he looks a million dollars and I'm very pleased with him.
"I was happy with the way he went through three-quarters of the race at Haydock and it was uncharacteristic of him to be a weak finisher. I believe now we've fixed that we'll be in a much better location."
Handstands in action at Sandown (John Walton/PA)
More right away Pauling has his eyes on King George VI Chase glory with stable star The Jukebox Man, including: "He could not be better at the minute.
"You're always anxious about horses that have had injuries, particularly horses with that much ability as you desire them to be OK a lot, however he came out of Haydock as well as we could ever have hoped.
"We're starting to ramp up his work, it's not long now and we're getting to the phase where we don't require any missteps, but if we remain in the kind I expect to be in I think he's going to be extremely competitive."