Part-owner John Hales says he is looking forward to seeing what Protektorat can achieve this season as he prepares to return to racing. 

The six-year-old was a Grade One winner back in April at Aintree as he came across the line to win the Novices' Chase at the prestigious Grand National meeting. 

It was a terrific end to the season for the Dan Skelton-trained horse who had shown plenty of promise beforehand. 

He won a novice race at Cheltenham in November, finishing a whopping 17-lengths clear of his nearest challenger, Southfield Stone. 

A pair of second-places at Wincanton and Kelso followed before he took the spoils on Merseyside in April, finishing ahead of The Shunter. 

Now the first major handicap of the season is the aim with Protekotrat likely to race in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham. 

Hales, who owns the horse along with three others, including former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, says his charge has become even better over the summer and has high hopes. 

"It was an excellent performance at Aintree and, fingers crossed, I genuinely think this is a very good horse. He's had a few niggling problems, but he was fit that day and produced a lovely performance," he said. "The Paddy Power Gold Cup is the early season target and this race was always the plan over the summer after that performance. 

"He has matured very well in the summer, grown up physically and developed very well and this was the logical target to go for." 

All of Protekorat's wins have been on soft ground and Hales says he would be reticent to run him on a quicker surface. 

He has also been looking ahead to potential destinations in the future, with the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham Festival mooted. 

However, a tilt at the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day appears to have been ruled out with the horse not keen on right-handed courses. 

"I think he is a typical French-bred and likes a bit of cut in the ground. The softer side of good - it doesn't matter to him," Hales explained. "If he produced a top performance, I'd say the King George but he won't be going for that as he doesn't like going right-handed, so that's a non-starter and we'll have to talk to Dan. 

"Possibly the Ryanair Chase could be an option later - he's an improving horse and at this stage we'll keep all opportunities open and see how he's running."