TOM MULLINS will be wrestling with a dilemma this morning about whether or not Oscar Dan Dan will try and defend his Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle title at Fairyhouse tomorrow or wait for a clash with Big Buck’s at Ascot on Saturday.

Oscar Dan Dan is one of 10 entries left in the BGC Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot this weekend and the prospect of better ground in England could yet tempt Mullins away from Fairyhouse.

Final declarations have to be made for the Hatton’s Grace this morning but the prospect of testing conditions is not ideal for Oscar Dan Dan who impressively won the Lismullen at Navan on his first start of the season.

“The ground will probably be bad at Fairyhouse and that worries me. There are a couple of good horses in there too.

“The going would probably be better at Ascot but there’s a bit of weather forecast for there so it’s a tricky one,” Mullins said yesterday evening.

Travelling to Ascot would also mean a clash with the outstanding champion stayer Big Buck’s who dominates the entries for the three mile Grade One contest.

“Big Buck’s is unbeaten but you never know what might happen if you take him on. We’ll have to see,” the Co Kilkenny-based trainer added.

The Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old is undefeated in nine starts over the smaller obstacles since unseating his rider in the Hennessy Gold Cup in November 2008.

Big Buck’s beat Duc De Reigniere on his first start of the 2010-11 season at Newbury and although Nicholls has also left Celestial Halo in the Long Walk, Big Buck’s remains the intended starter.

The British champion trainer said yesterday: “If Ascot is on, Big Buck’s will be there. He’s in great shape.

“I’ve only declared Celestial Halo in case something silly happens. But he won’t run if Big Buck’s runs.”

David Pipe’s old campaigner Lough Derg took this prize in 2007 and could try again.