Daryl Jacob has been booked to partner Bravemansgame in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday, with Harry Cobden set to ride at Ascot.
Paul Nicholls indicated that last year's Gold Cup runner-up could feature in the Betfair Chase following his reappearance second in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby, should conditions be suitable.
With a dry forecast throughout the week and conditions currently in favour, the eight-year-old looks set to take on defending champion Protektorat at Haydock this Saturday.
Regular rider Harry Cobden has been booked to ride at Ascot, meaning Nicholls' one-time stable jockey Daryl Jacob has been handed the plumb ride.
Speaking to Betfair, Nicholls said: "An update for everybody. He schooled this morning nicely. Daryl Jacob rode him. He runs on Saturday.
"Daryl's going to ride him, you know. He's got all the experience in the world. He rides out a little bit here, so he got on great with him this morning.
"We've confirmed him this morning, and we're just going to monitor the ground during the week. If it was heavy, he definitely won't run, but I'm encouraged by the weather forecast. Looks like it's drying up."
On a press call hosted by the Jockey Club, Nicholls explained the decision for Harry Cobden to go to Ascot.
He added: "Harry's [Cobden] got to go to Ascot, he's got six good rides there including Pic D'Orhy. It wasn't an easy decision but it's sometimes good to let someone else have the ride because if ever you need a reserve in the future, you've got one,"
"That's the decision we've made and that's what Bryan's [Drew, owner] happy with so that's where we're going.
"We've always had Pic D'Orhy in mind going to Ascot, Johnny's [De la Hay, owner] got 15 or 16 very nice horses in training with us and he needs looking after.
"Harry is very important to Pic D'Orhy, probably more so than the other way round with Bravemansgame. Sometimes when you've got big meetings on a Saturday you have to make tough decisions that are right for everybody."
Nicholls rejected the suggestion that Cobden would not resume his partnership with last year's King George winner, adding: "There's no question about that, of course he would!
"Harry's the stable jockey but he can't be in two places on the same day. Of course, he'll ride him again."
There have been six confirmations for the first Grade 1 of the UK National Hunt season
