War Of Attrition is not certain to make the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival despite recovering well from a setback.
Last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle runner-up chipped a splint bone following his debut win over fences at Thurles in November and trainer Mouse Morris faces a race against time to get him ready for the March meeting.
"Fingers crossed he seems to be in great form and is back in full work," said the Co Tipperary-based handler. "I have no comeback target in mind for him as I just want to get him fit first. If Cheltenham comes, it comes, but if it doesn't, it doesn't.
"If we were to go to Cheltenham I'd have to get another run into him before hand - there is no question about it as Cheltenham takes no prisoners.
"There is a lot of great prize money over here, though, and we could always go to Punchestown and if we don't get to Cheltenham, it is not the end of the world."
The six-year-old is a general 20-1 chance for the two-mile showpiece on March 15th.