Trainer Jeremy Scott expects Dashel Drasher to feature heavily at Ascot in the upcoming season.

He was a three-time winner last season, with all those victories coming at the Berkshire venue. 

After crossing the line first in the Graduation Chase and bet365 Handicap Chase, he stepped up to Grade One level in the Ascot Chase. 

He secured a two-length victory over Master Tommytucker to cement his place among the elite partakers in jumps racing. 

Having not raced since that occasion in February, the Somerset handler is stepping up preparations for the season ahead. 

Scott says a defence of his Ascot Chase crown is likely but reckons the 1965 Chase at Ascot will be his first run out. 

There is also a decision to be made on whether to keep Dashel Drasher at two miles and five furlongs or step him up to three miles. 

Scott said: "At the moment we're looking at going back to Ascot again, that's the Grade Two in November.

"He's very well. We've had his owners up and he looks an absolute picture. We could have gone for the Old Roan Chase but he's a bit too porky for that. 

"We didn't bother entering but he's very well. We're all systems go, I hope." 

If Scott does decide to step up his charge to three miles then the King George VI Chase at Kempton — last year's race being the first ever won by a female jockey after Bryony Frost guided Frodon home — is the main consideration. 

He added: "Really I think after the Ascot run we'll have to make a call on whether we do step him up to three miles. The King George might be something to look at. 

"It's slightly vague at the minute. He does seem so good at Ascot over two miles and five. 

"I think the odds are we'll stick at it but it's quite difficult to find races for him, particularly near Christmas." 

A new jockey will also have to be considered after regular pilot Matt Griffiths was hospitalised earlier this month following a road collision. 

Griffiths had ridden Dashel Drasher for 14 of his 17 starts but a new face will be needed to potentially steer him to back-to-back Grade One wins, with Scott confirming Rex Dingle is likely to be the chosen one. 

Scott said: "It's very much under discussion. If I could use someone who's already linked to the yard, that would be ideal.

"We're looking at Rex Dingle. The trouble is we want somebody that will stick with the horse, rather than riding him one time and then not the next because they've got other commitments, so I'd say Rex would be fairly well up the list."