Trainer Warren Greatrex feels the ground may prevent Aloomomo from running in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The six-year-old is the ante-post favourite in many places to land the Grade Three contest but it looks unlikely that he will even line up for the race.
The going looks to be on the quick side and, as Greatrex explained, that is far from ideal for his in-form charge.
“The big problem is the ground,” he said. “There is every chance we might be forced not to run as he wants the ground softer than it is at the moment.
“It is just my luck to have a favourite for a big race and for the ground to be like this. I would love to have a go as he is in serious order.
Connections feel the Lavazza Jolie Silver Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot a week on Saturday might now be an option and Greatrex is confident that the son of Tirwanako will make a splash wherever he appears next.
“I will speak to the owners and they will have the last call but I am of the opinion we wait for the week after and wait for the rain,” he added. “Wherever he goes he will be competitive.”