Punters are mulling over the best races for key Cheltenham Festival runners with just four weeks to go.
Willie Mullins, the leading trainer at the meeting, is yet to confirm the targets for leading contenders Sir Gerhard and Galopin Des Champs.
Racing fans who have backed the horses before the 'non-runner, no bet' rule came in will be nervously awaiting his decision.
There are also key calls to make by trainers in the handicap races, with potential Grade 1 performers in the mix to switch.
Nicky Henderson and Dan Skelton will also be weighing up the opposition, influenced by factors such as ground conditions and the weather forecast.
Markets on the day will look very different to what they are a month away from the big meeting, from March 15-18.
Here Mirror Racing takes a look at five runners that feature prominently in ante-post lists for more than one festival contest.
Sir Gerhard - Ballymore Novices' Hurdle vs Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Sir Gerhard is favourite for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle but last year's Champion Bumper winner is not short of speed, as he showed when running his rivals ragged in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Sir Gerhard is as short as 11-4 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and trainer Willie Mullins also has Dysart Dynamo for the festival curtain-raiser.
With the likes of Constitution Hill and Jonbon lying in wait in the Supreme, connections might see the Ballymore as a much more winnable option.
Sir Gerhard is a point-to-point winner on soft ground so don't worry about his stamina if they do go for the longer race.
But the son of Jeremy is a top-class operator over two miles and it would be a surprise if connections didn't fancy their chances in the Supreme, especially if there is plenty of give in the ground.
He'll be coming up the hill as well as anything in that race.
VERDICT: The Supreme looks his most likely destination.
Galopin Des Champs - Festival Novices' Chase vs Turner Novices' Chase
Galopin Des Champs is the season's box-office novice chaser but will he run in the Festival Novices' Chase (Old RSA Chase), for which he is 5-4 favourite, or the shorter Turners Novices' Chase (around 7-4).
Galopin Des Champs is likely to face a tough opposition whichever way he goes because Bravemansgame targets the 3m contest and he'll bump into Bob Olinger if connections decide on the 2m5f race.
This really is a tough call for punters because Galopin Des Champs is a relatively short price for both options and connections haven't really given any clues as to which race he will run in.
VERDICT: Keep hold of your cash and wait until declaration time
Epatante - Champion Hurdle vs County Hurdle
Epatante was champion hurdler in 2020, yet she was no match for Honeysuckle 12 months ago.
Nicky Henderson might just be tempted to switch her away from the opening day showpiece and run in the County Hurdle instead.
Epatante is 9-1 third-favourite for the Champion Hurdle and 8-1 favourite for the wide open handicap, a race which the trainer has won twice, albeit not since 1997.
Epatante isn't good enough to beat an on-song Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle. Opposition to the reigning heroine is thin on the ground and Nicky Henderson's charge is a big place contender.
Getting weight off the geldings, that may preferable to carrying a big weight in the County Hurdle.
VERDICT: It will be hard to resist another Champion Hurdle run given her Kempton win at Christmas.
Shan Blue - Paddy Power Plate vs Ultima Handicap Chase
Shan Blue is a strong fancy in many quarters for the Paddy Power Plate. Dan Skelton's classy chaser stays well and the make-up of the 3m 1f Ultima Handicap Chase might suit him better, if conditions were drying out in the build-up.
Shan Blue hasn't been seen since winning the 'unluckiest loser of the season competition' hands down at Wetherby earlier in the season – and the Charlie Hall performance highlighted just how talented this eight-year-old is.
Prior to a setback, Shan Blue was being aimed at races like the Ladbrokes Trophy and King George so connections clearly see him as a three-miler.
Those races are on flat tracks whereas the Ultima is a stiff 3m 1f which will place added emphasis on stamina, in what is sure to be a strongly-run event.
This looks a tough call with ground conditions likely to play a big part in the decision.
VERDICT: Hasn't run since October so watching brief advised before running plans become clearer.
Ciel De Neige - Grand Annual Chase vs Arkle Chase
Unlike 2021, this year's Arkle Chase lacks a star turn and that might just tempt Willie Mullins and owner JP McManus to run Ciel De Neige.
He figures highly in Grand Annual Chase betting however.
Ciel De Neige's price came in for both races after he ran away with a 2m event at Punchestown last weekend and novices have a very strong recent record in the festival handicap.
However, his mark of 148 means he'll be high up in the weights for the Grade 3 contest.
The wide-open nature of the Grade 1 could be the persuading factor.
VERDICT: No surprise at all if he ran in the Arkle and must have a chance.
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