Leading Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup hope looks Like Trouble delighted his connections in a work-out today at Newbury where he was ridden for the first time by Tony McCoy.
But the champion jockey remains uncertain about his mount in the big race a week on Thursday and, having been offered the ride on Looks Like Trouble, he must now wait for Martin Pipe's decision on whether to run Gloria Victis.
Looks Like Trouble was accompanied by Kim Muir candidate Stepaside Boy, trained by Roger Curtis, and drew five lengths clear.
McCoy said: 'It was a nice piece of work in which he opened his pipes without putting himself under too much pressure.
'I was pleased with that and I feel a very lucky man as only three weeks ago I didn't even have a ride in the Gold Cup.'
Trainer Noel Chance, who watched the gallop with owner Tim Collins, said: 'Tony said the ground was very holding but it was nice for him to get out of the yard and to change his normal routine.
'He's hardly blowing and he'll need one bit more on Friday which should put him spot-on.'
A new rider is needed for Looks Like Trouble - 7-1 joint third favourite for the Gold Cup with Ladbrokes - after Norman Williamson was 'jocked-off' last week.
'I'm hoping that Tony will be available to ride him at Cheltenham,' Chance added.
'He doesn't know yet if he will be available but I am prepared to wait for him until the very last minute.
'Meanwhile I have another jockey in mind if Tony should tell me this week that he is unavailable. I don't want to reveal the name of that jockey at this time because it wouldn't be fair. Let's just say he is a jockey who hasn't had a ride in the race.'
Nicky Henderson also galloped five Cheltenham-bound horses at Newbury today.
Blue Royal and Bacchanal worked over two miles, with the former readily pulling away from his stable-companion when Mick Fitzgerald gave him the office.
Henderson said: 'If anything he just needed his run in the Tote Gold Trophy as he's a big stuffy horse. He'll now go for the Champion and Bacchanal goes for the Stayers'. I was very satisfied with them both.'
Katarino, Stormyfairweather and Captain Leo then worked the reverse way round, with Katarino and Fitzgerald coming out on top.
Henderson said: 'I'm pleased that Katarino has galloped all the way to the end because after his last race at Fontwell he came back with a cut on his hoof.
'I didn't put that forward as an excuse for his defeat, though the vets felt it was relevant.
'I think those people who reckoned Katarino isn't as good as he was are wrong, and that his first run back in France was as good as any of his performances last season.
'Remember that Stormyfairweather is a very good work-horse and he was getting a stone off Katarino today.'
Mark Pitman was also pleased with the group of horses he worked after racing at Newbury in Saturday, including Smurfit Champion Hurdle hope Ashley Park who was forced to bypass the recent Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.
'They all worked lovely,' he said.
'I was very pleased with Ashley Park who missed Wincanton with a bruised foot but we worked him after racing at Kempton and we've got him going again.
'He's making progress and looks more likely to run than not.' -PA
