Terry Casey was yesterday considering giving Splendid Thyne a step up in class for the Grade One Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham next Saturday. He is eyeing the 21-furlong event for his six-year-old, who has won his last three starts in handicaps.

"Splendid Thyne will be entered at Cheltenham and then we shall look at the race," the trainer said.

"He is also in the Tote Bookmakers race at Sandown, which is another handicap, the following Saturday.

"If Sanmartino and Large Action were in at Cheltenham he might not run. He's a progressive horse but we don't want to pitch him into the deep end."

Oliver Sherwood confirmed that Large Action, pulled up in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot last month, will bid to repeat last year's victory in the Cleeve.

"I am very happy with the horse and think his last run is best forgotten because it came too soon after the Bula," he said.

"He has been freshened up since then and as long as he is fine when we check him over in midweek the intention is to run him in the Cleeve Hurdle."

Casey will run King George VI Chase third Rough Quest in the Pillar Property Investments Chase on the same card.

"Rough Quest is in good form and Mick Fitzgerald will ride him," he said.

The gelding will face a rematch on Saturday with Barton Bank, a well-beaten sixth at Kempton at Christmas.