After much deliberation, the connections of Dusk Duel have decided to let the six-year-old take his chance in the Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham today and the move can pay off.

Trainer Nicky Henderson explained the decision: "I daren't wait too long to run him because the good ground will suit him." The gelding is relatively inexperienced over fences, with only four starts over the larger obstacles.

But he has transferred his smart hurdles form to fences and ran a race full of promise on his reappearance in a valuable contest at Ascot when he finished a two-and-a-half-length third to Wahiba Sands and Best Mate.

Logician was three-quarters of a length back in fourth and reopposes on 6lb better terms today but lacks the scope of his old rival. A bigger threat could be Thomas Pink Gold Cup winner Shooting Light, whom Tony McCoy has chosen to ride in preference to three other Martin Pipe-trained contenders.

But it has to be the progressive Dusk Duel who warrants the nap selection to land the £58,000 sterling first prize with Shooting Light and recent Wetherby winner Banker Count the dangers.

Henderson will be looking for a big-race double with Landing Light in the Victor Chandler Bula Hurdle but this useful performer may have to give best to the Paul Nicholls-trained Azertyuiop.

Earlier on the card Barton can complete a three-timer over fences in the Tripleprint Novices' Chase.

Easterby can also be on the mark with Turgeonev in the Handicap Chase.