Colin Tizzard has confirmed his stable star Cue Card is an intended runner in the Stan James Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham rather than the Champion Hurdle.
The five-year-old was a scintillating winner of last season's Champion Bumper and impressed on his first two outings over obstacles.
He lost no caste in defeat when second to Menorah in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham in December and unless the Champion Hurdle picture changes dramatically, he will be back against novices on his return to the Festival.
"We had a chat with the owner on Tuesday morning and we've decided he's going to go for the Supreme," said Tizzard.
"We have left him in the Champion Hurdle, but that is just in case maybe three horses go wrong. Things could change but we are fully intending to go for the Supreme as things stand.
"We thought it was sensible to leave him in the Champion Hurdle, just to cover all options. He's doing lovely and we've been stepping up his work for the last fortnight. He's got three weeks of pretty strong stuff ahead of him now."
Cue Card is now generally 9/4 favourite for the traditional curtain raiser of the Festival, although is still available at best-price 5/2 at the time of writing.
Supreme Novices' Hurdle leading contender best-price odds:
This table displays the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:
Will Hill £25 free bet | Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet
Meanwhile, Tom Cooper has removed Forpadydeplasterer from this years' Cheltenham Festival - but his stable star still has a chance of making the Punchestown Festival.
Forpadydeplasterer was removed from the entries for the Ryanair, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Gold Cup today after his journey to Kempton for the rescheduled King George VI Chase left a mark.
The Irish-trained winner of the Arkle in 2009 and runner-up in last year's Champion Chase was pulled up behind Long Run on January 15.
"He came back from Kempton a very sick horse and I think making the two trips to Kempton, first in December and then when the race was rearranged, put paid to him," said Cooper.
"I thought last week we were looking good for Cheltenham but I'd rather not take him over again so soon. I'll keep him over here for the rest of this season and hopefully he'll be ready to run at Punchestown."
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