Anthony Ross, who deducted his 3lb conditional's claim from Function Dream's weight at Ascot, will be unable to do so in the Cheltenham Festival's championship race. But the 5lb mare's allowance applies, effectively placing her third best in that event on current form. She began this season on the comparatively lowly mark of 123.
Newbury's Game Spirit Chase on 10 February may be her pre-Cheltenham target, rather than Ascot's Mitsubishi Shogun Chase over 2m3f a week later. Although the mare used to contest three-mile events in her native Ireland, new trainer Reveley has reservations about whether she truly stays beyond the dead two miles.
"Although it was very soft ground, they were catching her quickly when she ran over 2m5f at Uttoxeter in September, so I'm not sure whether she stays much beyond two miles. So, at this stage, I may be leaning towards the Game Spirit," she said.
Meanwhile, Ian Balding reported Champion entry Grey Shot "perfectly sound" after winning at Ascot three days ago after an absence of 474 days. He confirmed that the popular grey - who has raced only twice over fences - will not reappear until the Cheltenham Festival where handicap the Mildmay Of Flete is the most likely target.
"He has already been entered in the Champion and will be engaged in the Cathcart, Grand Annual and Mildmay Of Flete," said Balding.
"That last race over 2m5f is the preferred target, but if the ground were very soft he could drop back to two miles for the Grand Annual.
"He has been raised 10lb to 145 after Saturday. That's fair and I think he's still well handicapped. I was as pleased as his rider, Tony McCoy, with how he ran - he didn't have things all his own way and had to be clever at many fences. He is a far better jumper of a fence than a hurdle and Tony is keen to stay on him."
