The Ladbrokes World Hurdle is the preferred target for Oscar Whisky with Nicky Henderson 99.9% certain he will run in the March 15 showpiece.
Oscar Whisky was third behind Hurricane Fly in the Stan James Champion Hurdle last year but he has stepped up in trip this season in readiness for a crack at the stayers' championship.
He shaped like a potential World Hurdle contender when willing the Cheltenham & Three Counties Race Club Hurdle last time but he was denied the opportunity of defending his Welsh Champion Hurdle title when Ffos Las was lost to the weather.
Henderson is looking at an alternative target for the seven-year-old and he has confirmed the World Hurdle is his likely target at the National Hunt Festival next month.
"He's in very good form and is in one of the jumper bumpers at Kempton on Friday and I haven't ruled that one out yet," the trainer told At The Races.
"Trouble is I'm running out of options for him but he isn't a horse I'm desperate to have a run. He's 99.9% certain to go to the World Hurdle."