Arkle favourite Crack Away Jack will make his eagerly-awaited chasing debut at Sandown Park on Saturday week.

Emma Lavelle has decided to enter last season's Champion Hurdle fourth in a two-mile beginners' chase, having ducked other options at Kempton and Exeter in the last few days.

But the trainer would be happier if the skies opened at the track.

She said: "He goes to Sandown on 7 November. We had a few entries for him, but the key is the ground. It has been too firm and I'd love to see a drop of rain."

Crack Away Jack is as short as 7-1 with Boylesports for the Arkle and Lavelle is hoping that the gelding will prove good enough over fences to make a third consecutive appearance at the Cheltenham Festival next March.

The five-year-old, who won the Fred Winter at the Festival last year, has been in great form at home.

Lavelle said: "He worked absolutely brilliantly and I wish he could run today. He's as fit as a flea, but we just haven't been able to run him."

Crack Away Jack could face Paul Nicholls's exciting novice chaser Tataniano, according to owner Andy Stewart.

Tataniano made a highly promising debut over fences at Exeter last week, winning a beginners' chase by 32 lengths. Paddy Power make him their 8-1 co-favourite for the Arkle next March.

Stewart said: "We have to find out how good he is, although Crack Away Jack will win the Arkle in my opinion!"

Lavelle isn't about to shirk the challenge. She added: "The problem with the lack of rain is that there are a lot of trainers waiting to run their horses and so all these races will be ridiculously contested. But Sandown is the plan."

Arkle Trophy betting (Boylesports):   7 Crack Away Jack, 8 Mikael D'Haguenet, Sizing Europe, 10 Tataniano, 16 Osana, Captain Cee Bee, Snap Tie, 20 bar.