Last season's star novice Justified will return to the scene of his greatest triumph at Fairyhouse this Sunday as he bids to earn a place in the Queen Mother Champion Chase line-up at Cheltenham in March.

The Dusty Sheehy-trained horse was on the easy list after being pulled up in last month's Durkan Chase at Punchestown, but is now described as being "in powerful form" ahead of Sunday's Normans Grove Chase over two miles.

"He's in the Kinloch Brae at Thurles on Thursday, but we're thinking of going down the route of the Queen Mother Champion Chase, so we want to see how he gets on against some of the top two-milers," Sheehy said yesterday.

Justified landed last year's Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse under Tony McCoy, and Sheehy hopes the British champion jockey will be available again.

"Nothing is confirmed about jockeys but I would love to have Tony on him," he said.

"The horse is in powerful form and ready to go to war again."

Justified could have to take on the current two-mile champion this weekend, as Newmill is one of 14 entries remaining in the Grade Two event.

That list also includes last year's winner, Central House, and Nickname.

Irish interest in Saturday's Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock will centre on the Charles Byrnes-trained Mounthenry, who looks set to take on the Nicky Henderson-trained Afsoun.

"He may need further than two miles but Haydock is stiff enough and it looks a good opportunity for him," said Byrnes.

"He ran well last time back over hurdles."