Wandering Aengus is to be aimed at the Weatherbys Champion Bumper with trainer Patrick Prendergast ruling out hurdles for his bright prospect this season.
The five-year-old is quoted by some bookmakers for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, but Prendergast is no rush to send the Tobougg gelding over jumps.
Wandering Aengus defeated Cheltenian on his only start so far at Punchestown in October and it was that horse's victory in the prestigious bumper at Cheltenham last spring that has influenced the County Kildare handler's decision.
"He's doing very well. He had the summer off and he's back cantering at the moment," said Prendergast.
"He'll have one run in a winners' bumper and then he'll go to Cheltenham.
"He will only go to Cheltenham if there is cut in the ground but are hoping he will go to the Festival.
"One of the reasons he hasn't run is that he beat Cheltenian and he gave him 5lb and when we saw Cheltenian won the Bumper this year, we thought we'd have a go at it next year.
"I don't know why some bookies have him priced up for the Supreme Novices' because no-one has ever asked me.
"At the moment our plan is to run in the Cheltenham Bumper.
"The idea is to give him one run before the Festival, probably in January. If it was fast ground at Cheltenham in March we won't be going as he loves cut in the ground.
"He was quite weak when he won last year. He was four years of age but he was only a shell and he's stronger now.
"He's cantering away but he's enjoying life at the moment, nothing stressful. He's half-fit already, he's an easy horse to train."