Ann Hamilton's Tommy's Oscar looks set to swerve Kelso and go for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 15.
The seven-year-old has won four consecutive races for Northumberland-based Ian and Ann Hamilton, rising 18lb to an official rating of 156 in the process.
The Oscar gelding has taken well to being dropped to two miles and showed his liking for the reduced trip when winning the Grade 2 Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock last month, beating Global Citizen by five lengths.
Tommy's Oscar is owned by Ian Hamilton, husband of trainer Ann and needs just one more winner to match last season's record total of 12.
Ian Hamilton says he is still leaning towards a crack at the ultimate hurdle test on the opening day of the Festival.
"We don't know what to do. Brian Hughes rode a winner for us the other day (Bavington Bob) and I was asking him, as he is experienced and knows what it takes," said Hamilton.
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— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 30, 2022
Trainer Ann and owner Ian Hamilton are both in their 70s and only have four horses in training, including Champion Hurdle contender Tommy's Oscar... pic.twitter.com/qnDrXpryGB
"He said that if you have a chance to go, then go.
"But while Tommy's Oscar has won four races very easily, he has never beaten a Champion Hurdle horse. That is not to say he cannot, because he travels well and he is an improver.
"It is a long way for us to go - it is like a three-day job - and we are farmers and we will have to find someone to look after the job here.
"So, we were thinking the Morebattle, with top weight, would be easier."
However, the recent stormy weather have soaked into the Kelso ground and the going is likely to be more than tacky.
"The only trouble is, Kelso is a swamp at the moment. We were up there on Friday and it was almost unraceable," said Hamilton.
"He handles any ground, but we won't do both - he will either go to the Morebattle or the Champion Hurdle and at the minute, we are going to the Champion Hurdle."
