PAUL NICHOLLS expects Celestial Halo to continue his improvement in Saturday’s Boylesports.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Last year’s Champion Hurdle runner-up comfortable scored under top-weight in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton on his seasonal return. As he takes on his Chelten-ham conqueror, the Nicky Henderson Punjabi, back at Prestbury Park, the champion trainer is hoping for an even closer contest this time.

Nicholls said: “Celestial Halo is in good order. He came out of his race at Wincanton very well – he surprised me there with his performance – and he looks like he has improved a lot for the run. He was at a similar stage at Wincanton as Twist Magic was in the Haldon Gold Cup on his seasonal return.

“We saw how much Twist Magic had improved on Saturday and hopefully Celestial Halo has gone the same way. He was a good stayer on the Flat and he needs a good gallop. I will have to chat to Clive Smith to see if he will let us have Kauto Star as a pacemaker!

“Last year, he was four going on five and is much stronger and more mature this season.

“He likes Cheltenham and I am very happy with him. He needs to improve as he is taking on Punjabi but we are hoping for a good run.

“We have also entered Oslot and, if it looks like there is likely to be no pace, we might run him to ensure a good gallop.”

There were 10 horses declared at yesterday’s five-day stage for the Grade Two contest with Alan King likely to send Medermit.

He was third in the Greatwood Hurdle on his seasonal return and King said: “The plan is to run Medermit. We did think about novice chasing but we want to make up our minds one way or the other after Saturday. We think that he has improved since running well under top-weight in the Greatwood and it is a question of whether we aim him at the Champion Hurdle or the Arkle Trophy.

“Deep down, I have a feeling that he is not a Champion Hurdle horse, but we will see on Saturday.”