Istabraq will run in the £150,000 Shell Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in a fortnight's time, but Aidan O'Brien admits the ultimate aim is to train the JP McManus-owned star for a record fourth Smurfit Champion Hurdle.
Istabraq worked impressively over a mile and a quarter on a grass gallop yesterday morning, after which O'Brien described the horse as "irreplaceable".
Robbed of his attempt at history due to the foot-and-mouth crisis, Istabraq will bid for consolation at Leopardstown but the focus remains on Cheltenham.
"Even now everything is being geared to Cheltenham next year," O'Brien said. "It was a shame for JP and the lads in the yard that he couldn't try and do it this year, but I would imagine he will have the same kind of preparation next season."
He added: "The older he gets the more time it may take to get him ready, but the big thing with him is his enthusiasm. He's irreplaceable and it would be great to give him a chance to win his fourth Champion Hurdle next year."
O'Brien also intends running Darapour and Kilcash Castle at the rescheduled National Hunt festival but conceded that Theatreworld, three times a Champion Hurdle runner-up, looks to have run his last race.
"He's leading a life of leisure here now and is very happy, but at the moment I would say it looks like he won't race again. He has done very well for us," O'Brien said.
Paul Carberry was yesterday given the all-clear to resume action at Cork on Monday following almost six months on the sidelines, recovering from a broken left leg.
"I saw the Turf Club medical officer Walter Halley and am delighted to be back on Monday, when I have been booked for rides on the Flat and over jumps," he explained.
Carberry has not been race-riding since the end of October last year when he was unlucky to sustain the broken leg as his mount Harbour Pilot slipped up on the flat approaching the first hurdle at Fairyhouse.
