Taquin Du Seuil winning the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham© Photo Healy Racing
Taquin Du Seuil could run in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas after the ground was deemed too quick for him at Cheltenham this weekend.
Jonjo O'Neill's charge was a surprise absentee as a field of 16 was declared for the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup.
He had been expected to try to supplement his win in last month's BetVictor Gold Cup but Guy Upton, O'Neill's assistant, said: "It's purely a ground thing, his owners didn't want to risk him. He's got an entry in the Lexus and that is now an option.
"It's frustrating, but there you go."
Philip Hobbs' Village Vic was beaten just a neck by Taquin Du Seuil last month and is left at the head of the weights, with third-placed Buywise and fourth home Aso also trying their luck again.
The Warren Greatrex-trained Aloomomo has been declared for Saturday's race but with the proviso that he will not run unless significant rain falls.
Paul Nicholls has two chances, Bouvreuil, who has replaced Aloomomo at the head of the ante-post betting in recent days, and Frodon.
Kylemore Lough takes his chance for Kerry Lee, with Harry Fry represented by Thomas Brown.
Man of the moment Colin Tizzard runs both Quite By Chance and Sizing Codelco.
Module, King's Odyssey, Solar Impulse, Roman Flight, Turban and Full Shift complete the list.
