Trainer Nicky Henderson has revealed Champ is likely to run in the Cotswold Chase ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.
The eight-year-old has not been seen since winning the RSA Chase at the Festival in 2020, with Henderson's charge beating Irish pair Minella Indo and Allaho on that occasion.
An autumn wind operation has delayed his return this winter, meaning he missed out on the Savills Chase at Leopardstown earlier this week.
Connections had considered a return over hurdles, but Henderson has now revealed he could come up against Santini in the Cotswold Chase.
He told Unibet: “I'm pleased to say that he is in excellent form and the obvious race would be the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day.
“It might have to be for Santini as well, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it because there's also the Denman Chase at Newbury in February.
“Champ is coming along great, and Nico (de Boinville) had a spin on him on Christmas Eve, and he's been jumping very well.
“There is nothing else before the Cotswold Chase, so I'd imagine he'd have a racecourse gallop beforehand which should put him spot on.”
