Nicky Henderson is "reasonably confident" that Bobs Worth will run in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28.
Winner of the highlight of the Irish Festive period last year, Bobs Worth would be making his seasonal reappearance in a race which promises to live up to its tag.
The 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner is due to clash with this year's blue riband winner Lord Windermere.
It has been a frustrating first half of the season for Henderson's stable stars with My Tent Or Yours ruled out for the campaign, Simonsig still to reappear after being forced to miss the King George, and of course, Sprinter Sacre still on the sidelines.
Henderson will work his big guns this weekend and hopes to get a racecourse gallop into Sprinter Sacre in the coming weeks.
"I hope to get Bobs Worth to the Lexus and I'm reasonably confident," said the Seven Barrows handler.
"There's also a good chance Sprinter Sacre will get to the Clarence House (Ascot, January 17) but I must stress these are not deadlines.
"I've got to do what is in their best interests and I'll keep everyone informed along the way.
"For all of them there is a big date in the diary in March that has a big ring around it and if I get them there then I will have done my job."
