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Tiger Roll will be seen by many punters as a formality to add a fifth success at the Cheltenham Festival in the Glenfarclas Chase over the cross-country course next month.

But Emmanuel Clayeux believes old foe Urgent De Gregaine could have a big say in whether the race goes according to script before Tiger Roll's bid for Grand National immortality in April. 

Clayeux could field three runners in a bid to add festival glory to a string of placed efforts, with Urgent De Gregaine set to be joined by Diesel D'Allier  – who led home his stablemate in a French-trained one-two at the November meeting – along with Arlequin D'Allier . 

Now 12 years old, Urgent De Gregaine was only beaten two lengths by Tiger Roll in 2018 but finished a distant third in last year's race. 

Asked whether he could beat Tiger Roll by assembled press at a Cheltenham and Glenfarclas-sponsored visit to his yard at Vaumas in central France, Clayeux joked: "Yes of course. He must be tired now!"

In more serious mode, Clayeux said: "I think Urgent is in better form this year than last year. He looks better and is in good form, mentally as much as anything. Diesel was getting 11 kilograms [26lbs] when he beat him and now they are at level weights. Diesel is not a big strong horse like Urgent to carry the weight."

Since November Clayeux has attempted to keep Urgent De Gregaine fresh, restricting him to a a single start at Pau, a venue he considers not ideal for his festival veteran.

"Urgent is my globetrotter and doesn't run nearly as well in France," said Clayeux. "He ran a couple of times in Pau and didn't jump too well."

Urgent De Gregaine is a best-priced 12-1 for the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham, though in a season where the French have dominated the two races run over the Cheltenham course he is not the most fancied of the visitors, with December winner Easysland 3-1 second favourite behind Tiger Roll, who is a best-priced 13-8.