Racing Newscolin Parker was yesterday given the all clear for Sparky Gale to run in Saturday's Murphy's Gold Cup at Cheltenham. The unbeaten chaser had been doubly engaged on Saturday with the other option being a tilt at the Sean Graham Chase at Ayr, also the target of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Mr Mulligan.

But Parker announced the decision after the seven-year-old cantered this morning.

"He is okay and will go to Cheltenham," the trainer said.

"Basically, I was always going to Cheltenham from last Saturday," he admitted. "But there was always the chance of a change of mind and it's no good saying we're going one place and then another so not wanting to mess people about we hung on until today."

Sparky Gale is set to carry 10st 2lb in the Murphy's, a factor that helped sway the decision. "We're fairly well handicapped at Cheltenham and that helped us make up our mind," the Lockerbie trainer added.

The presence of Mr Mulligan in the Ayr race did not come into the equation according to Parker. "That did not sway me either way," he said. "We would not be afraid to take on Mr Mulligan."

Parker has mapped out a programme for his Cathcart Chase winner which could lead to a tilt at the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup in the spring. "He'll probably not run for six weeks after Saturday," he said. "Then it's likely to be the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby, a conditions race at Ayr and perhaps another race before Cheltenham where he may go back for the Cathcart or, if things go well, maybe even the Gold Cup.

"But we'll make that decision nearer the time and take one step at a time."

Regular jockey Brian Storey will be in the plate on Saturday. "He's Brian's ride," stressed the trainer.

Walter Dennis yesterday admitted he is facing a "dilemma" over the choice of race for Coome Hill on Saturday, despite the news that Sparky Gale tackles the Murphy's Gold Cup.

It was thought if Sparky Gale was a confirmed runner that Dennis would aim his charge at the marathon Flowers Original Handicap Chase for which he heads the weights with 12 stone.

Coome Hill is also being targeted at Newbury's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.

Coral's betting on the Murphy's Gold Cup: 9/4 Sparky Gayle, 5/2 Challenger du Luc, 7/2 Dublin Flyer, 9/2 Bertone, 12/1 Potter's Bay, 14/ 1 Destin d'Estruval, 25/1 Terao & Senor El Betrutti, 33/1 Cherrynut, 50/1 Easby Joker. Ladbrokes: 9/4 Sparky Gayle, 5/2 Challenger du Luc, 3/1 Dublin Flyer, 9/2 Bertone, 16/1 Senor El Betrutti, Destin d'Estruval & Potter's Bay, 25/1 Cherrynut & Terao, 40/1 Easby Joker.