Castle Mane's chances of defending his Christies Foxhunters crown at Cheltenham hang in the balance following a disappointing show at Newbury.
Caroline Bailey's eight-year-old was talked off as a Tote Gold Cup contender following last season's victories at the Festival and at Punchestown but he flopped on his seasonal bow at Haydock last time.
And following this afternoon's 13 lengths thrashing at the hands of Real Value in the Peter Hamer Memorial Hunters' Chase when asked about Cheltenham, Bailey replied: "Who knows?
"I don't know any more than you at the moment. Ben (Pollock) said he felt totally flat so obviously we will go home and do some tests and see if we can find anything wrong with him.
"He's been fine at home so it's a bit of a mystery than he's run as poorly as that. There's no point in going to Cheltenham if he runs like that but I will keep my options open until we've had him tested" she added.
But Real Value now heads to the Festival according to trainer Di Grissell who said: "We came here hoping to see him jump round well, he's done that and he goes to Cheltenham."
Regal Exit is now as low as 12-1 with Coral for the Elite Racing Triumph Hurdle after landing a comfortable victory under Mick Fitzgerald in the Furlong Club Juvenile Novices Hurdle.
Nicky Henderson's charge overcame a final hurdle blunder to pass the post with six lengths to spare over Ibis Rochelais after hitting the front three out.
Martin Pipe's Edwarda, blinkered for the first time, cruised away with the Craig and Ruth Pearman Memorial Handicap Hurdle which was won in a very slow time as the five runners dawdled for the first mile.
In fact the rather sparse crowd went as far as to boo the riders as they passed the stands for the first time at a virtual walk but McCoy, always a master tactician, brought his mount through on the bridle to easily outpoint Park Royal.
Gunnerblong was given an ice-cool ride by Barry Fenton to lift the SBJ 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle and returned to much praise from the geldings trainer David Gandolfo.
"Barry's given him a great ride as he must be ridden like that," said Gandolfo.
"He ran a bit free at Haydock last time as they went no gallop and they didn't go very fast here but Barry was able to settle him in."
Jungli made a quick reappearance after being beaten at Kempton last Saturday to outpoint Kings Cherry for the Geoffrey Gilbey Handicap Chase in the hands of Jimmy McCarthy.
Madam Muck wore down long-time leader Nasone to take the Brown Chamberlain Novices Handicap Chase while Sharazan gave conditional rider Zoe Owen her second winner under rules in the concluding Mail On Sunday Hands 'n' Heels Conditional Jockeys' Novices' Handicap Hurdle.
