Trainer David Pipe has confirmed his exciting novice chaser Goulanes will line up in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday.
A dual winner over hurdles, the seven-year-old kept his unbeaten record intact when he made a winning debut over fences in the Towton Novices' Chase at Wetherby last month.
Connections also had the option of running Goulanes in the four-mile John Oaksey National Hunt Chase, but he has been taken out of that race.
Pipe said: "He's going for the RSA. Roger Brookhouse (owner) was keen to go for it so that's what we're doing."
Goulanes' confirmed participation increases speculation that stablemate and long-term ante-post RSA Chase favourite Dynaste will switch to the shorter Jewson Novices' Chase on Thursday, but Pipe said: "We haven't made any decision on him.
"He'll be confirmed for both races and we'll make a decision which way we're going over the weekend."
The Pond House pair are among 21 RSA Chase confirmations, with Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins responsible for Back In Focus, Boston Bob, Marito and Terminal.
Rocky Creek is a significant absentee from the list, although the likes of Unioniste, Hadrian's Approach, Lyreen Legend and Lord Windermere are still in contention.
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