Wincanton's Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle on February 14 has emerged as the likely starting point for Cheltenham Festival winner Whiteoak.

Off the track since last year's Grand National meeting, Donald McCain's David Nicholson Mares Hurdle winner has a repeat bid for that race on the cards.

"She's in the totesport Trophy and while I can't see that happening, we would like to get a run into her before Cheltenham," said McCain.

"Newbury is a possible, but the Kingwell would be a strong possibility down at Wincanton as she'd have a 7lb fillies' allowance in that.

"I wouldn't want to run her on this ground at the moment anyway so we'll just sit tight.

"If we ended up having to go straight to Cheltenham, of all the horses in the yard she'd be the one I wouldn't be afraid of doing it with, because she doesn't need an awful lot of work.

"But I am planning to get one in somewhere and the Kingwell would be favourite.

"It might not be the worst thing in the world that she missed the first half of the season."

Whiteoak is a general 5-1 chance to win the mares race for a second year running, but 6-1 is still available with Coral.