Dato Star will bid to repeat his 1998 victory in the Haydock Park Champion Hurdle Trial on Saturday.
"Dato Star is bouncing and runs at Haydock on Saturday," the nine-year-old's trainer Malcolm Jefferson confirmed today. "I think he's every bit as good as he was when he won the race before.
"And after Saturday hopefully he'll go to Cheltenham for the Champion Hurdle."
Dato Star, who easily defeated Wahiba Sands by six lengths at Kempton Park last time, is currently a 20-1 chance with Ladbrokes for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle.
Among his rivals on Saturday could be last year's winner, Master Beveled.
The 11-year-old beat Wahiba Sands by a length 12 months ago and his trainer Dave Evans said: "He's also entered in Sunday's AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown but will probably run at Haydock. He is in good form and has more chance of getting in the money there.
"He wants a bit of cut in the ground and it looks as though he's going to get his ground at Haydock.
"Glenn Tormey rode him last year but we haven't made any jockey plans yet."
The Haydock Park Champion Hurdle Trial has been re-opened after only six entries were received for the #27,500 contest.
Jefferson will aim for a big-race double at the Merseyside track with Tullymurry Toff in the Bet Direct Peter Marsh Chase, a limited handicap with #42,500 in added money.
The nine-year-old scored in good style at Wetherby last week after appearing to be struggling at one stage and Jefferson added: "He goes a bit flat and then stays on strongly, he's always run a bit like that."
A spokeswoman for Haydock Park reported: "The going is currently soft, heavy in places and the forecast is for it to be settled with occasional showers."
