King's Road will race in blinkers for the first time in next Wednesday's Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.
Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies' assistant Peter Scudamore said today: "King's Road schooled in blinkers yesterday morning and schooled well so he will wear them for the first time in public at Cheltenham."
King's Road had been unimpressive in winning his Festival warm-up in a small field at Chepstow last week.
But Scudamore added: "That was typical as he can be a bit lazy and switch himself off but at proper racing pace and with the blinkers on we are hopeful of a big run at Cheltenham."
He could be joined in the line-up by stable-companion Beau.
The Great Yorkshire Chase and Reynoldstown Novices' Chase winner had been set to go for the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase.
But after Martin Pipe's decision to let Gloria Victis take his chance in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup, Scudamore admitted a rethink may be in order.
He said: "Nigel and I have got to sit down and discuss it in the next few days and decide where he goes now as the novice race becomes a very open affair again without Martin's horse."
Scudamore also confirmed that Rubahunish is on course for the Ladbroke Casinos Hurdle Final while Bindaree will again lock horns with his recent Uttoxeter conqueror Monsignor in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle.
