Mr Mulligan is almost certain to make the long trip to Ayr to tackle the Sean Graham Chase on Saturday. After a week of uncertainty trainer Noel Chance admitted yesterday that the Gold Cup winner was "very likely" to take his talents to Scotland.
"We want to run and if we can we will," said Chance. "Only a terrible workout tomorrow morning or something like that is likely to stop him now.
"I will make a decision by lunchtime and hope to announce a jockey then as well."
Chance is probably set to nominate a new pilot with regular jockey Tony McCoy likely to have to go to Cheltenham and firstchoice replacement Paul Carberry appealing on Thursday against a suspension that will rule him out on Saturday.
Mr Mulligan, 9 to 1 with Ladbrokes to retain his Gold Cup crown, heads an entry of eight for the three miles one furlongs limited handicap, which was won two years ago by One Man and last season by The Grey Monk.
Three of his possible rivals - Sparky Gayle, Wayuphill and Boarding School - are trained by Colin Parker.
The other entries are Colonel In Chief, Beachy Head, Judicial Captain and Ask Me Later.
The promising Sparky Gayle would provide stiff opposition to Mr Mulligan but he is among the 11 remaining in the £60,000added Murphy's Gold Cup at Cheltenham on the same day and may go for that contest.
Sparky Gayle has a handy 10st 2lb in the Cheltenham race and the prize money for that event may tip the balance.
But Parker was yesterday playing his cards close to his chest regarding running plans.
"It's interesting to see that there are only eight runners in the Ayr race but we're going to sit down tomorrow and have a look at both races. We will make a decision tomorrow or Wednesday morning," he said.
"If he was to run at Cheltenham the Hennessy would definitely be out but if he went for the Ayr race then the Hennessy would still be a possibility."
The uncertainty over Saturday's running plans has resulted in Britain's leading bookmakers refusing to quote odds on the Cheltenham showpiece.
Cork firm Cashmans have, however, taken a chance and quote Sparky Gayle at 9 to 4 favourite. They offer prices on all the others apart from Coome Hill who is also in the Flowers Original Chase (3m 3f) on the same card.
Cashmans' betting: 9-4 Sparky Gayle, 3-1 Challenge du Luc, 7-2 Dublin Flyer, 5-1 Bertone, 10-1 Destin D'Estruval, 14-1 Senor El Betrutti, 20-1 Potter's Bay, 25-1 Cherrynut and Terao, 331 Easby Joker.
Singspiel will stand as a stallion at Dalham Hall Stud in 1998, it was announced yesterday. His fee will be £25,000, with further details to be made once the date of his return to England is known.
