Trainer Hughie Morrison has yet to confirm if Betfair Hurdle favourite Not So Sleepy will run this weekend.
The eight-year-old currently leads the market for the big race after winning his last two races at the end of 2019.
Owned by Lady Blyth, the gelding won the Rewarding Ownership With The ROA Handicap Hurdle at Ascot on November 22 before claiming the Betfair Exchange Trophy at the same track a month later.
Not So Sleepy heads the market ahead of the likes of Mack The Man, Never Adapt and Thebannerkingrebel, but Morrison says he needs to wait for everything to be right before confirming his plans.
“When I said he needed to come through a schooling session, what I really meant was that would be the first reason as to why he might not run,” he said.
“There are lots of other things to take into account as well as schooling. Ground, competition, his general vibe – unless he schooled appallingly, that wasn’t going to be the deciding factor.
“We might declare, and find the ground too quick and not run anyhow, but at the moment we’re just looking out for the horse and doing what is best by him.”
