A decision on whether Last Instalment runs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup will be delayed as late as possible.
The nine-year-old has returned from a near two-year absence seemingly better than ever judged by his brilliant display in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown last month.
He is among the leading contenders for the Gold Cup on Friday, but connections have repeatedly stated he will only run if ground conditions are on the easy side due to the leg problems which kept him off the track for so long.
Last Instalment was due to leave Ireland on Sunday (Monday AEDT).
“We’ll see how the ground is riding and we’ll have the course walked a couple of times,” Fenton said.
“We’ll be making a decision as late as possible.
“We’ll hope there might be a bit of frost to keep a bit of moisture in the ground.
“The horse is in good shape, so we’ll see what happens.”
Last Instalment is one of three intended Festival runners for Fenton, with Coral Cup top weight Dunguib set for his fourth visit to Prestbury Park.
Winner of the 2009 Champion Bumper, third in the 2010 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and eighth in the Champion Hurdle a year later, the 11-year-old spent almost three years on the sidelines until returning in January, when an encouraging third at Naas.
Dunguib then turned in an impressive display to take the Boyne Hurdle at Navan by six lengths.
Fenton’s third Festival challenger is Champion Bumper contender Value At Risk.
