Lack of peak fitness is likely to deprive Jeffell of an attempt at a repeat success in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot a week on Saturday, his trainer Arthur Moore said yesterday.

Last year the grey took the Grade Two chase by a length and a quarter from the Charlie Mann-trained Celibate, but Moore, who could run his 1996 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Klairon Davis instead, rates Jeffell an unlikely starter.

"I will decide on Saturday - I will know then - but Jeffell is not likely to run," he said. Jeffell, who went on to land the Red Rum Chase at Aintree last April, has not run since disappointing on his seasonal reappearance at Navan at the end of October.

Noel Meade expects to confirm a jockey to fill the vacant seat on Hill Society's back at the weekend. Regular rider Paul Carberry was ruled out of the Victor Chandler by a 10-day ban received at Naas on Sunday for a serious error of judgement on Sallie's Girl.

Meanwhile, Steve Gollings is on the look out for a jockey to partner New Inn in The Ladbroke Hurdle hearing that Seamus Durack will be riding at Sandown. "I have got a couple of things in mind, but nothing finalised. But the horse is an easy horse to ride and the instructions are fairly clear with him," said Gollings.