Barton, trained at Great Habton by Tim Easterby, heads the 10 entries for the Red Square and Red Alert Energising Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock Park on Saturday.
The eight-year-old lost his unbeaten record over timber when eight lengths second to Geos in the Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.
Barton is a 12-1 chance with bookmakers Coral for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
The Sir Stan Clarke-owned gelding could have two Irish rivals on Saturday, with Christy Roche planning to send both Aerleon Pete and Youlneverwalkalone over to Haydock for the £28,000-added contest.
Other entries for Saturday's race include Martin Pipe's trio of Mr Cool, Seebald and The French Furze as well as the Mark Pitman-trained novice Hitman.
Saltburn trainer Mary Reveley has already confirmed that October Mist is on course to run in the Haydock race.
Updated: 15:28 Tuesday, January 16, 2001
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article