Pat Smullen is on course to team up with Vigil for his boss Dermot Weld in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham next month.

The lightly-raced six-year-old was fifth under Smullen to stablemate Silver Concorde 12 months ago and has had one run since, when winning at Leopardstown in December.

Weld told the Irish Times: "I think it has to be an advantage for Vigil to have run in the race before although it looks an exceptional renewal this year. It's wide-open but I think our horse is capable of running a good race in it and Pat Smullen will ride."

Seven-times crowned champion jockey on the Flat, Smullen came closest to a coveted Cheltenham winner when third on Rite Of Passage in the 2009 renewal of the Bumper behind Dunguib.