'We'll have him prepared best we can' - Dan Skelton not afraid of heading straight to Betfair Chase with Grey Dawning

Dan Skelton has no concerns about sending Britain's shortest-priced Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Grey Dawning straight to this month's Betfair Chase, despite plans for a prep run being scuppered by the ground twice last weekend.

The seven-year-old, who is as short as 12-1 in the Gold Cup ante-post market behind Irish aces Galopin Des Champs, Fact To File and Fastorslow, was set to make his seasonal reappearance in either Saturday's Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby or the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle on Sunday, but missed both assignments due to the ground being considered too quick.

Grey Dawning will now be sent for an awayday before lining up in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 23. Entries for the Grade 1 will be released on Tuesday and Grey Dawning is the 7-4 favourite following an outstanding first season over fences, which included a two-length victory over Ginny's Destiny in the Turners Novices' Chase at the festival in March.