“I wouldn’t worry if it came up very soft. Stamina would come more into play,” said Nicholls.

Kauto Star put himself in line for a £1m (€1.5m) bonus when winning the Betfair Chase at Haydock on his latest start, but Nicholls says he will not be upset if they miss the second leg of the series, the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.

“If we win on Saturday and miss the King George, no-one is going to be crying about it because there’s plenty of races in the spring,” the Ditcheat handler told Racing UK.

“But there’s three weeks and two days after Saturday (to the King George). He’s only going two miles and not three and if he comes out of this race like he has his others this season I can assure you it won’t be a problem.”

The layers find Kauto Star hard to oppose as they make him odds-on for the Grade One feature, for which a field of seven has been declared.

“Kauto Star is the highest-rated chaser since Desert Orchid and seems to have scared off the opposition,” said totesport spokesman Damian Walker.

“Voy Por Ustedes is Kauto Star’s biggest threat at 11-4 and, looking at the betting, he’s the only realistic danger as we bet 11-1 bar two.”

Arkle hero Voy Por Ustedes will have his first outing since finishing second in the Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree in April.

Connections of the Alan King-trained gelding are under no illusions about the prospect of taking on Kauto Star.

“It looks another marvellous race but we may all be playing second fiddle to Kauto Star, who was a surprise (entry) in the race,” said Barry Simpson, racing manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden.

“He was impressive at Haydock and he won this race last year. He’s got everything in his favour and he’s the one to beat.

“Our horse has summered well and this has been his target race. It would be very nice to win the Tingle Creek, but it’s not all just about winning on Saturday.

“We are looking to give him three or four races maximum this season and we want to give him an opportunity to get through his second season after his novice campaign without too hard a time.

“He’s in very good form. We’ve had a trouble-free preparation and everything has gone according to plan.”

Ireland is well represented by Mouse Morris’ Fota Island and two-time Grade One winner Central House, trained by Dessie Hughes.

Connections of the French-trained Foreman have decided to run him closer to home at Enghien-Soisy in a two-mile-three-furlong chase on Friday.

“He runs in France on Friday instead but we do run Fota Island,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus.

Smart two-mile chaser Dempsey, trained by Carl Llewellyn, is also still engaged.

Nicholls will be double-handed with Hoo La Baloo, while Mark Rimell saddles Oneway.

Ashley Brook, beaten by a length and a half by Kauto Star in last year’s Tingle Creek, will not get the chance to renew rivalry as he was withdrawn at the 48-hour declaration stage.

William Hill Tingle Creek Chase betting:

Ladbrokes: 4-7 Kauto Star, 11-4 Voy Por Ustedes, 12-1 Central House, Fota Island, 25-1 Dempsey, 33-1 Cerium, 40-1 Hoo La Baloo, Oneway.

Totesport bet: 4-7 Kauto Star, 11-4 Voy Por Ustedes, 11-1 Central House, Fota Island, 28-1 Dempsey, 40-1 Oneway, Hoo La Baloo.