Heads Up finished best of the rest behind Bambino Fever in the Champion Bumper at last year’s Festival and having made a successful start to his hurdling career at Listowel in September, the five-year-old was favourite for the Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle on his most recent appearance.

While no match for No Drama This End, hindsight shows there was no disgrace in that defeat, with the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding going on to win another Grade Two at Sandown and the Grade One Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.

Heads Up has missed a couple of potential engagements since, but is being readied for another trip to the Cotswolds on January 24.

“He’s going for the Classic Novices’ Hurdle, which is a Grade Two in Cheltenham a week on Saturday over two and a half miles,” said McConnell.

“The only issue we’ve had is his blood wasn’t quite right, that’s why you didn’t see him over Christmas and the race in Naas on Friday (Grade One Ballymore Novice Hurdle) was coming a bit soon, but he’s fine now so it’s all systems go for Cheltenham.

“The form of the November race has worked out obviously, the winner has been very good and we think there’s a bit of improvement still in our fella from that run.

“We’d be hopeful he’ll step up again next time out.”

The County Meath handler expects to have a clearer idea of Heads Up’s potential Festival target after his next outing, with the Turners and the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle both viable options at this stage.

McConnell added: “I suppose his next run will tell us what target if any we have at the Festival. We’re hoping we might get to one of the novice races but if we don’t we don’t.

“We’re still very excited about him.”