Afarad is unlikely to make the journey to Ascot on Saturday for the £30,000 William Hill Internet-Low Tax Handicap Hurdle.
Trainer Christy Roche believes the five-year-old, owned by JP McManus, looks to have too tough a task in the two-and-a-half mile contest.
"A decision will be made later today when I've spoken to JP McManus but it is unlikely that he'll run," Roche said this morning.
"The distance of the race wouldn't be a problem, he's bred to get the trip, it just looks as though he'll have it all to do at Ascot and the race looks a bit competitive."
Afarad finished sixth when sent off favourite for the Ladbroke Hurdle at Leopardstown last month but has since enjoyed a confidence booster when beating Newhaven Lad, hard held, by one and a half lengths at Clonmel two weeks ago.
"He ran well for a long way in the Ladbroke. We thought he was on a good mark before the Ladbroke so we've had to think again with him," added Roche.
"He was beaten nine lengths by Geos in the Ladbroke and he was rated only 6lb better than Afarad in England so he isn't that well handicapped in over there."
Roche has no immediate big-race plans for Afarad, who finished third in last year's Elite Racing Club Triumph Hurdle.
He added: "We'll just keep him to small conditions races for the time being. He won't be going chasing. He's a small, compact horse, who doesn't ride like a chaser."
