Martin Pipe confirmed at Chepstow yesterday afternoon that Eudipe would take his chance in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury - but without the blinkers he wore when beaten at Haydock behind Suny Bay.

"They just did not seem to work, so we will leave them off on Saturday and hope for the best," explained Pipe. Paul Nicholls will wait until tomorrow before deciding if last term's Scottish Grand National winner Belmont King takes his place in Saturday's line-up.

Belmont King was the subject of some pretty decent bets with William Hill yesterday and they have shortened the gelding into 12 to 1 from 20 to 1.

Prospects for Coome Hill's participation in the £70,000-added feature improved following the gelding's workout yesterday morning. "Coome Hill worked well today and we just might have a try on Saturday," said trainer Walter Dennis.