Reigning Champion Hurdle hero Punjabi could face up to seven rivals in the Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday.
Nicky Henderson's charge is without a victory in two starts this season and connections will be hoping for a good performance this weekend before he defends his crown in a month's time.
Last year's Champion Hurdle runner-up Celestial Halo could renew rivalry and, along with Qozak, is one of two possible runners for Paul Nicholls.
Mon Michel, Petito, Serpentaria, Treaty Flyer and Starluck are the other contenders.
The latter was last seen finishing just a short head behind Go Native in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
Trainer Alan Fleming is hoping conditions will not be too testing on Saturday, should he take his chance.
‘The forecast doesn't sound great but if it's good to soft or soft we'll maybe let him take his chance before Cheltenham,’ said Fleming.
‘He won at Cheltenham in October. Maybe he didn't beat much, but he came up the hill well and he's physically getting stronger all the time.
‘You can see that in his shoulders and his back end that he's really improving.
‘You're never going to get that summer ground in the winter so you have to take what you get and I think he's learning to deal with it a bit better all the time.’
