Paul Nicholls will delay a decision until the last possible moment on whether he will declare Flagship Uberalles, a hot favourite for Wednesday's Queen Mother Champion Chase, for the following day's Grand Annual Chase.
Flagship Uberalles has 12st in the Grand Annual and if he comes out the weights would be raised 15lb.
Nicholls said this morning: "We may do it because he could get down to the start for the Champion Chase and tread on a plate or something like that.
"I would not be doing myself any favours if we left him in because if I do, I understand Majadou, Celibate and Space Trucker would run and they would be really well in.
"If I take him out they are not going to run and will run elsewhere so I am doing them a favour, there is no banker over two miles on fast ground anyway."
Nicholls, who has Irbee in Thursday's race on 9st 11lb, went on: "Flagship's owner is of the view that as he is coming over from America and he has paid his entry fee, he is entitled to look at both races just in case.
"It is not a case of me trying to manipulate the weights by any means, and in fact I could be shooting myself in the foot if he is left in.
"I will decide on Wednesday morning."
