The Savills Chase at Leopardstown remains under consideration for Paddy Power Gold Cup hero Stage Star.
The Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old won four of his six starts during his debut season over fences last term, including Cheltenham Festival success in the Turners Novices' Chase.
He made a winning return with a tremendous front-running display in one of the sport’s most prestigious handicap chases at Cheltenham last month and connections already have one eye on a Festival return in March, with the Ryanair Chase his most likely objective.
What route Stage Star takes back to Prestbury Park remains undecided, however, with Leopardstown’s Savills Chase on 28 December and the Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield in January mooted as options.
On a trip to Ireland over the Christmas period, Owners Group racing manager Dan Downie said: "It is possible, I’ll have a chat with Paul next week and we’ll make a decision about whether we go to Ireland or not.
"It doesn’t matter where he goes now, it’s going to be tough.
"I think ideally we’d like to give him a run before Cheltenham, but we’ll have a chat next week, so I’ll probably know a bit more in a week’s time."
A Plus Tard could also make an appearance in the Savills Chase, as indicated by Henry de Bromhead earlier this week.
"A Plus Tard schooled well the other day, he has another big piece of work coming up but he's in good form, he seems really well," said trainer De Bromhead of the 2020 Savills Chase winner.
Watch coverage of the Leopardstown Festival on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player from 26 December
