Willie Mullins has confirmed that Appreciate It will not have a preparation run ahead of his much-anticipated Champion Hurdle showdown with Honeysuckle at Cheltenham.

The eight-year-old stormed to victory in last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Festival but has not been seen since his March 2021 victory after suffering a setback in training.

Despite his absence, plenty is expected of this son of Jeremy and he is tipped to return from his 364-day break with a duel against Henry De Bromhead's Honeysuckle.

Honeysuckle won the Irish Champion Hurdle on Sunday at Leopardstown and is sure to be primed to go in the Cotswolds, having also taken out the Hatton's Grace Hurdle last November.

In contrast, her rival will go in fresh but Mullins, who also has Saint Roi left in the field in his push for a fifth Champion Hurdle success, is unconcerned by his lack of exposure.

He said: "I'm not looking for a race for him really. There is the Red Mills at Gowran but I'm happy to go straight to Cheltenham and I imagine that's what will happen."

The opinion was echoed by stable jockey Paul Townend earlier in the week, who said he was excited to see how the gelding goes against Honeysuckle.

Appreciate It is unbeaten over hurdles, winning all four starts in his novice campaign to give him a rating of 160.

As Mullins mentioned, a go in the Red Mills at Gowran Park had been suggested but connections don't deem it necessary.

Two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Townend seems to agree and believes his mount has the potential to unsettle the unbeaten Honeysuckle without a prep run.

Townend said: "He [Appreciate It] is the horse with all the potential. We don't know how good Honeysuckle is but I'm looking forward to having a go at her with something on a level that Appreciate It shows.

"He seems fine. I was as disappointed as anyone I wasn't on him this weekend, I'm itching to get on his back."