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Flemenstar is in line to make a surprising return to competitive action later this month.

Now 12 years old, racing fans can be forgiven for having reached the assumption he had been retired as he has not been seen in public since last March.

But trainer Tony Curran says the four-time Grade One scorer is edging towards a comeback, with Flemenstar in contention to run in the Webster Cup at Navan on March 19.

The County Meath handler said: "He's had a few problems, but he's never been retired and is back in full work.

"We're probably running out of time a bit as he needs soft ground, but we've had plenty of it (rain) here and he'll probably go to Navan for a Grade Two chase, if all goes well.

"He won't go to Aintree, but if everything goes accordingly we'll think about Punchestown, as long as the ground is right for him.

"He's been working well and the fire is still there."

Flemenstar was a really popular horse in his pomp and won seven races, including three at the highest level, on the spin when trained by Peter Casey until the autumn of 2013.

A bad injury disrupted his time with Tony Martin and he has most recently been in the care of Curran, who saddled the horse to a Grade One victory at Leopardstown in December 2015.

Flemenstar, who is owned by Curran's father Stephen, was last seen finishing down the field in the Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse last March.