Paul Nicholls is planning to give Zarkandar a racecourse gallop in the next 10 days in preparation for a likely run in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on 11 February.
Last season's Triumph Hurdle winner has not been seen since completing a spring double at Aintree last April, but a return to the track is imminent.
The champion trainer remains hopeful the stoutly bred five-year-old can develop into a serious contender for the Champion Hurdle back at Cheltenham in March.
Speaking in his Betfair column, Nicholls said: "I was obviously very pleased to hear that Zarkandar will be left on a mark of 151 for the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury next month. And I am clearly very keen to run the horse in what is now Europe's richest handicap hurdle since Betfair backed the race.
"Zarkandar is only workmanlike at home - Brampour used to murder him over five furlongs last season - so, while he is pleasing me, he is never going to tell you that much from his work. He does it on the track.
"So while it could be argued that he is theoretically well-handicapped with the Triumph Hurdle form working out so well and should take his chance come what may, I have decided to give him a racecourse gallop in the next 10 days to see whether he will be ready in time to do himself justice at Newbury.
"That gallop will decide where we go next with the horse.
"The Champion Hurdle is the only race that matters for him though, he is in good order and, touch wood, the summer breathing operation seems to have helped.
"I know this much, he used to make a noise when schooling but he doesn't any more."
