Impek has emerged from his third place in the Stan James King George VI Chase in good order and is to be rested ahead of a tilt at the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Henrietta Knight’s nine-year-old was only beaten five lengths by Kicking King in the St Stephen's Day showpiece, having always been handy under Tony McCoy.
“Impek is great and is having his rest now before going for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham,” said Miss Knight.
Impek has been a revitalised performer this season, landing the Old Roan Chase at Aintree and the totesport Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon under front-running tactics.