Cheltenham Gold Cup contender War Of Attrition will try to continue his progress up the chasing ranks at Punchestown next month.

Trainer Mouse Morris has confirmed that his stable star will take in the John Durkan Memorial Chase before being aimed at the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

"All being well we want to go to Leopardstown but the Durkan will be next," Morris said yesterday before outlining plans for last season's Grand Annual winner Fota Island.

The JP McManus owned horse is a general 16 to 1 shot for the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March and Morris reported: "That is the race we have in mind for him. His handicap mark is gone and while I wouldn't say the Champion is cutting up, it does look a good bit more open that it did six months ago. We hope to get a run into him at Leopardstown over Christmas."