Insofar as Cheltenham is concerned, connections had Saint Roi for the County Hurdle, which would have left the Conditionals Handicap as their only other Festival option (and Front View was their fancy for that race).
Add the subsequent loss of Aintree and Punchestown, and the fact he’s bred to be a chaser, and maybe it was an easy decision to put him away for a novice-chase campaign, after disappointing at Leopardstown (where quicker ground might have been a factor).
You need to stop prevaricating, wringing your hands, and overthinking it, Maruco.....and just follow me in again.