Paul Nicholls is set to rely on Silviniaco Conti as his main contender for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup after confirming that Tidal Bay is more likely to contest the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Festival.
Tidal Bay, winner of the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown last time, is to remain among the entries for the chasing blue riband next month, but is not scheduled to take his chance.
"We have yet to finalise plans but we are now highly likely to run Tidal Bay in the World Hurdle," Nicholls said in his column on Betfair.
"Of course, we will leave him in the Gold Cup until the last minute, but as it stands our plan with him is the World Hurdle and then the Grand National."
Silviniaco Conti, who is second-favourite for the Gold Cup, heads to the meeting unbeaten in three starts this season after coming through his prep run in Saturday's Denman Chase at Newbury.
Nicholls went on: "People don't believe you when you say you have left a lot to work on in these prep races - they think it is a matter of getting your excuses in early - but, trust me, that would have been like his first run of the season for him. So it was a great result, with so much to build on fitness-wise."
Unioniste, who had been working with Silviniaco Conti, took a novice chase on the same card, and Nicholls confirmed: "He goes straight to Cheltenham and the Sun Alliance (RSA Chase) is the plan, but if it came up heavy then the Jewson could become an option."
Stablemate Zarkandar, a contender for the Stan James Champion Hurdle, is to run in next weekend's Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton, with Rocky Creek pencilled in for the Reynoldstown at Ascot on the same day.
Lac Fontana, who was second on his British debut at Newbury, will be given further practice in the Adonis Juvenile Novices' Hurdle at Kempton in a fortnight, while the disappointment of the weekend was the fall of Arkle hope Fago at Warwick.
Nicholls said: "Fago was the one that got away, as he was travelling hard on the bit when falling. I don't like going to Cheltenham on the back of a fall, but he is fine and the Pendil Novice Chase at Kempton or the two miles and one furlong novice at Sandown in the next couple of weeks are options for him."
17 June 2013
Cecil's words not lost on PonsonbyDawn out for Palace redemption
Hawkwood supplemented for Hardwicke
Magician set for Palace showdown
Flotilla To Drop Back In Trip
Cecil's Chigun in Cambridge action
Al Kazeem and Camelot clash again
De Kock hoping to make history
War ready for Royal Ascot battle
Kingdom set to reign over Ascot
Cat clings on for Carroll
Three more winners for Lady Cecil
Monaghan delivers on Midnight
Treve in stunning Diane win
Sapphire target for Trees
Beckett mulls Secret options
Nicholls has broken wrist
16 June 2013
Songbird aiming to fly highMovie has Newmarket on radar
Fahey juveniles primed for action
Stubbs leads O'Brien Coventry team
Salsify on summer break
Kempton target for Benbulben
Top trio head Palace runners
Shea Shea shoots for Stand glory
Animal heads Queen Anne field
Saint-Cloud aim for Dunaden
Magician to be declared for Palace
Soul all heart in York sprint
Kingsgate rules Musselburgh
Sam too sharp for rivals
Hughes makes it pay with Knight
Balding on mark with double
Morawij in a hurry in Scurry
Bartley is queen for a day
Big guns to clash in Coronation
15 June 2013
Marengo set for battle royalSaddler's ready to rock - Oxx
Soprano primed to hit right notes
Balding receives OBE
Victory on a plate for Montaser
Magician run in the balance
Secret set to make Ascot stand
Probert return delayed
Nagle covers Maarek options
Ribblesdale chance for Lark
Walker hoping Guns will fire
Estimate in Royal Gold run
14 June 2013
Trip should suit Moore - DunlopVincentti primed for York mission
Guest shoots for Trophy glory
Cleary on sidelines
Dettori partners Cecil hope
Mor success for Bolger and Manning
O'Brien seeking Sham improvement
Plans changing for Kate
Queen's Vase to honour Cecil
Poignant success for Morpheus
Tipperary target for Conor
Approach still on course for Palace
Realta strikes for Channon
Motion trusts Animal instincts
Kazeem set for Camelot rematch