Salsify the 2013 Foxhunter Chase winner, could be in line for a popular return to Cheltenham in March.

Rodger Sweeney's prolific 10-year-old has been sidelined since December 2013 because of injury but has been earmarked for an imminent comeback.

Salsify is due to contest the Raymond Smith Memorial Hunters Chase - a race he won in both 2012 and 2013 - at Leopardstown on Sunday week, after which he will be geared up for the Foxhunter.

County Cork-based Sweeney said: "It's been a long road with him, but he's fit and well at the moment and has been working well.

"He's had a long time off so we have to be very careful with him.

"That (Cheltenham) is still the hope, but we will probably run him on Sunday week on Hennessy day at Leopardstown."