Alan King has ruled last year's winner Raya Star out of The Ladbroke (Handicap Hurdle) at Ascot on Saturday and will instead rely on Balder Succes.
Raya Star would have had to carry nearly top weight and will instead run in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Balder Succes, a four-year-old, was a good winner at Haydock last time out and is one of the leading ante-post fancies.
"We were lucky enough to win The Ladbroke last year with Raya Star, but he will wait for the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton this time around, so we will rely on Balder Succes at Ascot," King told www.alankingracing.co.uk.
"He is in good form and will hopefully have a decent chance in what is always a very competitive handicap."
On the same card King will also have a crack at the incredible Big Buck's in the Long Walk Hurdle with Smad Place, who disappointed behind Tidal Bay on his first run of the season.
"Smad Place worked nicely yesterday morning and seems back on track, having been forced to miss Newbury's Hennessy meeting when he was not quite right," he added. "Obviously, Big Buck's will be hard to beat at Ascot, but if Smad Place works well in the week that is where he will go."
King's chaser Walkon is set for a break after his brave effort in defeat in the Paul Stewart IronSpine Charity Challenge Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The grey had previously chased home Al Ferof in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and bumped into another smart rival from the Paul Nicholls yard in the shape of the four-year-old Unioniste.
The trainer added: "Walkon did everything right bar win, and he has just bumped into an improving four-year-old who was receiving 17lb, and, while it is frustrating, he has finished second in two of the toughest handicap chases in the calendar, so I am not complaining. He will have a break now."
13 May 2013
Fabre confirms Ocovango for EpsomAspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout
12 May 2013
No hurry for Jammy plansGuest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning
11 May 2013
Felix foot-perfect on fencing debutCavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory
10 May 2013
Telescope focus is on DanteBlinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests