 Ferguson is good friends with What A Friend's trainer Paul Nicholls
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The Lexus Chase, featuring the Sir Alex Ferguson-owned runner What A Friend, has been rescheduled for Tuesday after fog forced a postponement on Monday.
Tuesday's eight-race meeting starts at Leopardstown, near Dublin, at 1150 GMT with the Lexus due to go off at 1325.
Ferguson was one of 14,000 racegoers left disappointed as fog descended unexpectedly before the big race.
Cooldine, Ireland's main challenger to Kauto Star and Denman in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, could go off favourite.
The heavy fog came down just moments before the Lexus Chase was due to take place.
After a delay to see if the conditions would ease, the final three races of the card were abandoned.
What A Friend, jointly owned by Ferguson and Ged Mason, could be another Gold Cup contender for champion English trainer Paul Nicholls, who is already aiming dual champion Kauto Star and 2008 Cheltenham winner Denman at steeplechasing's blue riband event.
The six-year-old What A Friend impressed as a novice last season until finishing last behind the Willie Mullins-trained Cooldine in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
He ran a fine race to finish second to Denman on his seasonal return in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November, although the winner was carrying 22lb more in weight in the valuable handicap chase.
Trainer Jim Dreaper is confident Notre Pere can regain his old sparkle in the Lexus.
The eight-year-old won the Welsh National and Punchestown Gold Cup last season but suffered disappointing runs at Down Royal and Haydock in November.
However, Dreaper is hopeful his charge is now back on song after his distant fifth place in the Betfair Chase behind winner Kauto Star.
"We didn't find anything wrong in the veterinary department after his run at Haydock," said Dreaper.
"We just think he was feeling the effects of a heavy fall at Down Royal but we have taken him away for a racecourse school and everything has gone nicely.
 Notre Pere won the Welsh Grand National last December
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"We're happy with him at the moment and obviously it's going to be a very good race, but to be honest, I'm not too concerned about what else is in the race.
"If he runs like he did at Haydock he'll beat no man's horse, but if he can run to some of his previous form he'll go there with a good chance."
Although the Lexus has been saved and will be staged as the fourth race on Tuesday afternoon, it will be minus several leading jockeys including Ruby Walsh and Barry Geraghty, who are riding at Newbury instead.
Walsh, who splits his time riding for both Irish trainer Mullins and Nicholls, will be on Big Buck's for the Somerset trainer when he clashes with Diamond Harry in the Long Walk Hurdle (1440).
Davy Condon steps in for the plum ride on Cooldine, who is rated third favourite for the Gold Cup.
It is not known whether Ferguson will stay for the big race. His side play Wigan at home in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.
Cheltenham Gold Cup betting 7-4 Kauto Star, 5-2 Denman, 12-1 Cooldine, 20-1 Imperial Commander, 25-1 Joncol, 33-1 Notre Pere, 33-1 What A Friend. 40-1 Bar
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