The Ryanair Chase rather than the Gold Cup may be Smad Place's intended target at the Cheltenham Festival.
A drop back in trip could now be in store for the eight-year-old grey following the Hennessy hero's fourth-place finish in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton.
Trainer Alan King said : "He has run well and we learned something."
He added: "We are in a vintage era of staying chasers at the moment. We might come back in trip and be a bit more aggressive with him.
"He might go for the Ascot Chase, then the Ryanair.
"I think that's a route we could take."