Robert Alner today confirmed Kingscliff on target for a mouth-watering clash with Kicking King in the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown next week.
Alner's lightly-raced eight-year-old was a staying-on second to the subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup hero in the King George VI Chase at Kempton at Christmas Boxing Day, going down by two and half lengths.
But he missed his chance to gain revenge in the blue riband when he was withdrawn just days before following a disappointing final gallop.
"Kicking King is the best horse results-wise and we have every respect for him but we're looking forward to next week," said Alner.
"We'll hopefully give Kicking King a good run for his money and our horse has had no racing this season."
Willie Mullins, meanwhile, has not ruled out a return to fences for Rule Supreme, who landed the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February.
However, his two subsequent outings have come over hurdles, finishing third in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham before unseating Ruby Walsh in a bizarre incident at Aintree.
If skipping the Guinness Chase, the nine-year-old would instead go for the Ballymore Properties Champion Stayers' Hurdle the following day.
"We won't make a decision until very near the day as to which race he goes for," said Mullins. "He'll be confirmed in both races when we see the way they are shaping up. The ground would be another big factor in our decision as well."