Shropshire racing star Neptune Collonges is back on the Gold Cup trail – and BBC Sports Personality of the Year Tony McCoy could take the ride in the Cheltenham Festival showpiece.

Champion jockey McCoy was on board Neptune Collonges, who is owned by Shropshire businessman John Hales, when the grey produced a barn-storming display to win Saturday’s Argento Chase at Cheltenham.

Prior to the weekend, both Hales and champion trainer Paul Nicholls were considering a tilt at the Grand National for the 10-year-old.

But Neptune Collonges’ stunning display in what was essentially a Gold Cup trial has thrown him firmly back in the reckoning for the blue riband event at the Festival on Friday, March 18.

And, should Neptune take his chance in a field set to include reigning champion Imperial Commander and former winners Kauto Star and Denman, Hales is hoping McCoy will again be on board.

“We were thinking Grand National for Neptune before Saturday – but he will not go there off top weight,” said the Cosford-based businessman.

“We will probably be looking at going for the Gold Cup again and hopefully Tony might free to ride him.

“He may well get other offers but he gave the horse a fantastic ride on Saturday and was very complimentary about Neptune. It was a magnificent performance.”

Saturday’s victory means Neptune Collonges – who was third behind Denman and Kauto Star in the Gold Cup in 2008 — has won over £736,000 in prizemoney.

But Hales revealed he had considered retiring his star chasing turn after an injury absence of 18 months was followed by a below-par display at Cheltenham in November.

“I did think about retiring him but Saturday showed he has got his old zest back,” he added.

Meanwhile, Golden Bear owner Hales is also considering a retirement U-turn on former Cheltenham Festival winner Noland after he was pulled up in the Murphy Group Chase on Saturday.

“We were at the point of retiring him straight after the race,” revealed Hales.

“But now we are going to sleep on it for a few days.

“Tony McCoy rode him as well and he said don’t retire him and try a step up to three miles.

“We will have a think about that now.”

Noland won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival in 2006 but, like Neptune Collonges, is returning after a long injury absence.

By JAMES GARRISON