Denman could make his return to the track at Wincanton on Boxing Day. The Cheltenham Gold Cup winner is entered in a staying handicap hurdle on the same afternoon that his stablemate, Kauto Star, will contest the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Dan Skelton, assistant to Denman's trainer, Paul Nicholls, said that a decision on Denman's return would be made tomorrow. The gelding, who has not run since he landed the blue riband at the Festival in March, received veterinary treatment for a fibrillating heart two months ago.

Nicholls has said that Denman would be given entries over hurdles over the Christmas period, but the timing of his possible comeback has added poignancy. Connections of the unbeaten chaser have yet to state whether Sam Thomas, who rode him to win the Gold Cup, would keep the ride ahead of Ruby Walsh, who preferred Kauto Star at Cheltenham.

With Walsh scheduled to partner Kauto Star on Boxing Day, Thomas could be reunited with Denman at Wincanton without connections showing their hand ahead of the Gold Cup. Walsh's own preference as a Gold Cup partner remains unknown, but the issue would resolve itself if Kauto Star's air of vulnerability is confirmed at Kempton. Thomas, for his part, suffered a series of high-profile defeats when standing in for the injured Walsh last month.

Kauto Star will face a maximum of 11 opponents in the Kempton showpiece. War Of Attrition and Air Force One are likely to take their chance but Tidal Bay will instead run at Wetherby on the same day. As expected, Snoopy Loopy, winner of last month's Betfair Chase at Haydock, was supplemented at a cost of £10,000. Stan James, the King George sponsor, quote Kauto Star at 6-4 to win the race for the third time.

Also at Kempton, Punjabi heads the cast for the Christmas Hurdle, in which his stablemate, Afsoun, and Straw Bear make a return to the smaller obstacles after failing to excel over fences. Straw Bear won the race 12 months ago, while victory would put Punjabi in line for a £1 million bonus should he follow up in the Champion Hurdle in March.