Ben Pauling has reiterated that Global Citizen is unlikely to take his chance in the Matchbook Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle at Sandown.

The five-year-old is as short as 6-1 favourite with some firms for the two-mile contest on March 10 following his facile victory in the Grade Two Dovecote Novices' Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday.

Although plans remain fluid, Pauling is leaning towards a tilt at the Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on March 16 instead.

Pauling said: "He is unlikely to go for the Imperial Cup. I think we will probably look at the County Hurdle next but our main aim is the two-mile Grade One (Top) novice at Aintree.

"We will see what the handicapper does on Tuesday but I don't think we will be looking at both the Imperial Cup and the County Hurdle.

"I think he is a lovely novice and we will not be pushing him to the limit. I think we would be mad to rule out Cheltenham at this moment in time.

"I have a mark in my head what he will be well handicapped off so we will see what we get on Tuesday. I've spoken to the yard this morning and he appears to be well and good."