Neil Mulholland insists he will run The Young Master in the race he feels will give his exciting prospect the best chance of success at the Cheltenham Festival as he plots his assault on the four-day extravaganza. 

While the Wiltshire trainer admits he would probably prefer the Toby Balding National Hunt Chase on the opening day (10 March), he revealed the owner might like to go for the RSA Chase on the following day.

"People seem to think it's the RSA. I see it was mentioned it was plan A. It is by no means plan A," Mulholland told Racing UK.

"He will only have two entries. We will keep it to the two novice races, the RSA and the four-miler.

"The owner would probably like the RSA and I would probably like the four-miler. It's something that needs to be discussed.

"There's a lot of bridges to cross between now and then.

"He's already won over three-mile-two around Cheltenham and he was staying on up the hill and he has improved a lot since then.

"You'd be fairly confident he'd stay the four miles. He's acted on heavy ground and he's acted on a better surface.

"We've not got him entered in three or four races. It's just down to these two. I've got to speak to the owner.

"I think the horse has got even stronger since Ascot, he's in great order, so it just depends on the day. We just want to do the best for the horse and give him the best chance of winning."

The Young Master was last seen winning the Mappin & Webb Silver Cup at Ascot in December.

Mulholland is hoping a spin over hurdles at Cheltenham on Saturday will have helped The Druids Nephew in his preparation for the Festival in March.

The Druids Nephew finished fifth in the Cleeve Hurdle behind Saphir Du Rheu and is aiming the eight-year-old at the Festival Handicap Chase on the opening day of the meeting.

"The Druids Nephew ran very well behind Sam Winner at Cheltenham in November. He finished seventh in the Hennessy, just behind Unioniste. His form is very good," Mulholland told Racing UK.

"He had a run in the Cleeve Hurdle on Saturday. He'll go straight for the first day of the Festival and you'd be hopeful he could make his presence felt."

Others among Mulholland's team for the four-day Festival include Carole's Destrier, who already holds entries in the RSA Chase and JLT Novices' Chase and Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final possible Southfield Royale.

"Carole's Destrier ran a nice race on Saturday (fourth at Cheltenham on Saturday). He had a little tidy up on his wind between Chepstow and Saturday. He might just improve a small bit for that," said Mulholland.

"We have are several others like Southfield Royale. We'd be hopeful of qualifying him for the Pertemps at Exeter on Sunday week."