Trainer Colin Tizzard says "everything will be considered" for Thistlecrack following his brilliant chasing debut at Chepstow on Tuesday.
The eight-year-old swept all before him in staying hurdles last season, winning each of his five starts including a stunning display in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
He was already installed as ante-post favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup prior to his first start over fences in Monmouthshire and is now a best-priced 5-1 for the blue riband after a foot-perfect round under regular rider Tom Scudamore.
While his next target is the Mallardjewellers.com Novices' Chase at Cheltenham on 12 November, plans for the rest of the campaign are less clear.
Tizzard said: "He was absolutely fine this morning and we couldn't have dreamt for it to have gone any better.
"I know it wasn't a big test, but the whole day was absolutely perfect and [jockey Tom] Scudamore was right on the button.
"We couldn't have dreamt for it to have gone any better."
"He'll go to Cheltenham, all being well, for the three-mile novice. I don't think there's any need to go back in trip with him now."
Assuming all goes according to plan at Prestbury Park, Thistlecrack's likely next port of call is Kempton on St Stephen's Day.
The Kauto Star Novices' Chase, better known as the Feltham, would appear the obvious target, but Tizzard is not ruling out a tilt at the King George VI Chase, a race he won with Cue Card last season.
Cue Card, who the Dorset handler described to be in "electric" form, makes his seasonal return in this weekend's Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby and his progress could have a bearing on Thistlecrack's plans.
"Everything has a bearing on it," said the trainer. "All I can say is everything will be considered [for Thistlecrack], no more than that.
"We'll just have to see how the horse is and what happens between now and then."
