Noel Chance is waiting on a long-range weather forecast for Ireland in the next two weeks before deciding on whether to run Looks Like Trouble in the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Chance has to decide between that race and the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday week for his eight-year-old.
The trainer explained: "His owner has commissioned a forecast - I think they can look as far as 10 days ahead.
"It is currently good to soft, soft in places at Cheltenham and it will need to improve on that for us, though the Pillar is attractive because Looks Like Trouble only gets half penalties.
"We have decided to take the first option where the ground looks like being right, I would hate to miss Cheltenham and then for it to rain for three or four days in Ireland next week.
"If the ground is given as good at Cheltenham I would be very happy with that, if it was good to soft then I would have to walk the course on Friday morning, though I think we will do that anyway."
Looks Like Trouble was pulled up in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton last month and Chance is still mystified by his performance.
He added: "We have had all the tests done and they have all been negative. If he ran another bad race there would obviously be something wrong but he is bouncing at the moment and I am very happy with him.
"They gave the ground as good to soft at Kempton but it was just drying out and was the worst type of ground. It was like glue and some horses just don't like racing on it. Maybe that was a reason."
Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Go Ballistic was today reported in good heart for his return to Prestbury Park on Saturday.
The gelding finished second in the King George VI Chase behind See More Business on his last appearance. Trainer Alan King said: "He is very well and I am pleased with him. He will go for the Pillar Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday and Richard (Johnson) will ride him."
Also among eight entries today for the Grade Two contest were last year's Gold Cup fourth Double Thriller and sixth Simply Dashing.
Martin Pipe's Wahiba Sands is among 12 hopefuls for the Marchpole Cleeve Hurdle on the same card.
Other notable entries for the race include Nigel Twiston-Davies' progressive novice Bindaree and the Venetia Williams-trained Lady Rebecca, winner of the Grade One contest last season.
Lady Rebecca's stablemate The Outback Way is among 17 entries for the £30,000-added Ladbroke Trophy Chase.
The Outback Way has already won three times this season at Cheltenham, including the Murphy's Gold Cup in November.
