Kalahari King could be fitted with a first-time tongue-tie for his next intended start in Saturday's Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot.
The 10-year-old broke a blood vessel on his seasonal reappearance at Kelso but has finished in the money at the last four Cheltenham Festivals, running Albertas Run close in the Ryanair Chase on his latest visit to Prestbury Park.
"He's an intended runner at the moment and we're thinking we might stick a tongue-tie on him for the first time," said trainer Ferdy Murphy.
"He worked with it on Tuesday morning and Graham (Lee) was very happy with him.
"He'll do another bit of work later in the week and we'll see then, but we might just leave it on for Saturday and see how we go.
"He's come out of the race at Kelso very well. John Roche, the lad who rides him out every day, tells me he feels great.
"He did break a blood vessel at Kelso so hopefully we can avoid that happening again. He'll improve a lot for that first run of the season - he always does."
