Micko's Dream has been installed as a 7 to 1 joint favourite with Lanturn for the £125,000 Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown, although the Christmas feature is likely to be his first race of the season.

Willie Mullins confirmed the promising young stayer as an intended runner in the December 27th race but added that he would prefer Micko's Dream to have a race before it.

"At the moment it looks like it will be his first race, which is not ideal. He had a little setback and came back in late but the Paddy Power is the aim," Mullins said.

Micko's Dream was David Casey's regular ride last season when the gelding scored four times but Mullins is not yet worrying about riding arrangements.

"Whoever is riding for me at the time will be on board. If Ruby (Walsh) is back he could be the one but at the moment my only concern is getting the horse to the race," he added.

The sponsoring firm also have Lanturn at 7 to 1 after Pat Hughes's Kerry National winner put in an impressive winning display over hurdles at Punchestown last weekend.

Next best in the betting is the Ted Walsh-trained Rince Ri, runner-up in the John Durkan Chase last Saturday to Buck Rogers and quoted at 12 to 1.

The shortest priced of the English entries after yesterday's forfeit stage is Course Doctor at 12 to 1.

Jim Dreaper's promising novice Saxophone will miss his entry in a Cheltenham novice chase on Saturday in favour of running at Navan on the same day.

"The Cheltenham entry was just in case something happened to Navan but, all being well, he will run at home. Tommy Treacy looks like being unavailable so Shay Barry will ride," Dreaper said yesterday.

Dorans Pride's participation in Saturday's Bet Direct Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock has been put in some doubt after high winds caused the cancellation of ferries yesterday.

Trainer Michael Hourigan is now hoping to arrange air transport.