Nick Scholfield hopes Old Guard can draw on his fine record around Cheltenham and give a good account in the Stan James Champion Hurdle.
With Sam Twiston-Davies opting to ride The New One for father Nigel, Scholfield has picked up the spare mount aboard the Paul Nicholls-trained five-year-old.
Old Guard was no match for Faugheen in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day, but he had previously recorded three consecutive wins at Cheltenham, including in the Greatwood Hurdle and International Hurdle.
Although not seen out since December, he was given a racecourse gallop at Kempton on Tuesday in the hands of Scholfield.
The jockey said: "He felt good out there. It's obviously more of a fitness thing as you are not here to learn too much.
"If felt good and he was not blowing too hard afterwards, so that's a good sign.
"He has been freshened up since Boxing Day and I'm really looking forward to it.
"Old Guard's Cheltenham form is up with the best, and that counts for a lot around there."
Scholfield is also set to partner the Nicholls-trained Aux Ptits Soins in the Ryanair World Hurdle as Twiston-Davies will be aboard Saphir Du Rheu.
The six-year-old has not run this season after being plagued by tooth and sinus problems, but Scholfield is far from concerned.
He said: " Aux Ptits Soins won the Coral Cup with a similar sort of prep last year and he has done plenty of work at home and schooling.
"Although he has not had many runs, he has got plenty of experience.
"Obviously Sam has a soft spot for both The New One and Saphir Du Rheu so he left these two.
"I know them very well, though, as I ride them out at home and I obviously rode Old Guard in the Triumph Hurdle last year. I am in a fortunate position, really.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity from both Paul (Nicholls) and the owners and it would be great if one could win now."