The popular dual purpose 10 year old will bid to open his account at Grade One level in the three mile contest, having finished second in the race in 2017 and 13th in 2018.

It will be a fifth start at The Festival for Lil Rockerfeller, who also finished seventh in the 2016 Champion Hurdle and 10th in the 2019 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle.

After finishing second on his return to action at Newbury in November the dual Grade Two scorer filled the same position at Market Rasen on Saturday when chasing home On The Blind Side in the MansionBet’s Bet 10 Get 20 Hurdle.

King said: “It was a cracking run at Market Rasen. It wouldn’t have been his sort of ground and the track wouldn’t have been ideal.

“He will go straight to the Stayers’ Hurdle now and we are looking forward to it. Cheltenham will suit him better and the ground should be better, which he wants. He has finished second in the race before and I’d like to think he goes there with a good each way chance.”