Connections of Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Strong Promise will leave it late before deciding if the nine-year-old will run in the Bet Direct Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on Saturday.
Fears over ground currently described as soft at the course could force a revision of plans.
Chris Kinane, assistant to owner-trainer Geoff Hubbard, said today: "I shall phone Lisa Rowe at Haydock on Friday morning and if we get a chance to run we'll run, the horse is very ready.
"If she says the ground is still soft then I'll be holding onto him for another week.
"I'm happy to run anywhere just as long as we get a suitable bit of ground."
Kinane suggested that the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham on January 29th could be an alternative target.
He added: "I'd like to get a couple of runs into him before Cheltenham."
