Plans remain fluid for leading fancy Davoski ahead of Saturday`s #80,000 Thomas Pink Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
The Venetia Williams-trained gelding is as short as 7-1 joint-favourite with Ladbrokes and William Hill for the prestigious handicap after winning in fine style on his reappearance at Stratford recently.
However, the six-year-old has an alternative engagement in the Edward Hanmer Chase at Haydock the same day while his owner Robert Ogden also has top-weight Fadalko in the contest, for which 28 horses were confirmed today.
Williams said today: 'Davoski is also in at Haydock in the Edward Hanmer and we`ll just have to see nearer the time.
'We`ll run him where we think he has the best chance of winning but we won`t know until nearer the time.'
Davoski`s stablemates The Outback Way, winner of the race last year, and Haldon Gold Cup winner Bellator have both been withdrawn from the contest.
Both have alternative engagements later this month.
'We`re probably going to run The Outback Way at Huntingdon a week later in the Peterborough Chase,' Miss Williams added.
'We just think he`d have a better chance of winning there.
'Bellator will probably go for the First National Bank Chase at Ascot.'
Another Cheltenham possible who could instead be routed to Haydock is Celibate, third behind impressive winner Fadalko at Wincanton last time.
His trainer Charlie Mann said: 'It all depends on the weather and the runners, I don`t think we`ll decide until Friday.
'He`ll have 11st 1lb in the Thomas Pink which is quite a handy weight.
'The Edward Hanmer is the alternative. He`s in good form and we`re looking forward to running him.'
Legal Right, unraced since winning the Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham last December, is set to take his chance at Cheltenham although trainer Jonjo O`Neill remains on the lookout for a jockey.
O`Neill said: 'The intention is to run and the ground should be all right for him.
'The only problem at the moment is that it looks as if Tony (McCoy) will be riding for Martin Pipe but obviously if he was available he would ride.
'Richard Johnson will be riding Looks Like Trouble in Ireland so we`ll just have to see who is available.'
Norman Mason`s Red Marauder is also in the Tote Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday but is set to take his chance in the feature race.
Mason`s assistant Richard Guest said: 'He missed a bit of work last week when the gallops were washed away - he had plenty of exercise but very little serious work.
'He worked well yesterday but unfortunately the gallop has been washed away again.
'If I can get a nice piece of work into him on Wednesday we will probably go to Cheltenham.
'We will have a look at both races but the chase is favoured at the moment.'
Soft going would prevent Inn At The Top, third here behind Dark Stranger in the Mildmay Of Flete Chase in March, from taking his place.
Trainer Jim Turner explained: 'I wouldn`t be too keen if it was too soft, he would run his race but I don`t think he would be able to give his best.
'He is very well and ideally I would like the word good mentioned somewhere in the going report.'
The going at Cheltenham is currently good to soft.
Fadalko, an impressive winner at Wincanton last month, is set to carry top-weight of 11st 10lb in the absence of stablemate See More Business.
The seven-year-old also has an option in the #50,000 Intervet Handicap Chase on the same card.
Nicholls has also withdrawn Call Equiname and Ad Hoc but is set to be represented by Norski Lad, although the latter also has an engagement in the Edward Hanmer.
Martin Pipe has a strong hand in the prestigious handicap with six possibles at the five-day stage - Majadou, Upgrade, Tresor de Mai, Lady Cricket, Dark Stranger and Exit Swinger.
Ladbrokes bet: 7-1 Davoski, Exit Swinger, 9-1 Legal Right, 10-1 Fadalko, Norski Lad, Slaney Native, Upgrade, 11-1 Lady Cricket, 14-1 Feathered Leader, Moscow Express, Red Marauder, 16-1 Dark Stranger, Robbo, 20-1 bar.
Tote bet: 6-1 Exit Swinger, 7-1 Fadalko, Legal Right, 9-1 Davoski, Lady Cricket, 14-1 Norski Lad, Slaney Native, Upgrade, 16-1 Dark Stranger, Feathered Leader, Inn At The Top, Tresor de Mai, Village King, 20-1 bar.
William Hill be: 7-1 Davoski, Exit Swinger, 9-1 Fadalko, 10-1 Lady Cricket, Legal Right, Red Marauder, 11-1 Upgrade, 12-1 Norski Lad, Slaney Native, 14-1 Dark Stranger, Moscow Express, 16-1 Feathered Leader, Majadou, Tresor de Mai, 20-1 bar.
