Paul Nicholls is seeking answers over the dip in his stable's form with Cheltenham 2022 just weeks away.
The Ditcheat handler, who has some of the best horses in the business, has vowed to find the reason behind it.
Nicholls is without any runners for the next few days, after Frodon and Greaneteen flopped at the Dublin Racing Festival.
With his strike rate in the past fortnight down to five per cent, the 12-times champion trainer plans to get to the bottom of the issue as soon as possible.
Nicholls is set to saddle several major contenders at Newbury's big meeting on Saturday – Betfair Hurdle fancy Knappers Hill, Grade 1 chaser Clan Des Obeaux and exciting novice Bravemansgame.
But first, leaving no stone unturned with head lad Clifford Baker, he hopes the picture will become a little clearer.
"Something is not right somewhere," Nicholls said on his website.
"We are now checking out the hay and feed. I do remember that we ran some tests in 2015-2016 after only three winners in January and discovered that the hay was low in potassium and calcium and quickly put that right. We are all over it, trying to get the answer.
"At some stage, every sportsman, team or racehorse trainer is bound to have a little bit of a quiet period when things don't go to plan. That is the nature of racing and sport. Then things come right and normal service is resumed."
Nicholls, who said all tests on his horses are clear, is also pleased with the visual signs of their wellbeing.
One of his weekend team, Bravemansgame, will warm up for Cheltenham in a novices' handicap over nearly three miles.
That leaves favourite Clan Des Obeaux as the stable's sole runner in the Denman Chase.
Bravemansgame is around 3-1 with bookmakers for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the 2022 Festival.
"I don't want to run him at Ascot next week as it's too close to the festival," he said.
"It's a limited handicap (on Saturday) but it could have a small field and looks like an ideal prep."
