Top three face Ryanair rematch
The first three home in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last year - Albertas Run, Poquelin and J'y Vole - are set to lock horns in the race again on Thursday.
Albertas Run, trained by Jonjo O'Neill and owned by J P McManus, bids to become the first dual winner of this Grade One contest which was only inaugurated in 2005.
Poquelin has been a strong fancy for this race since his win in the Vote A.P. Gold Cup here in December and his trainer is also represented by Breedsbreeze, who runs in the Best Mate colours of Jim Lewis.
Nicky Henderson relies on supplementary entry Voy Por Ustedes, who was runner-up to Imperial Commander two years ago when trained by Alan King.
Ferdy Murphy saddles Kalahari King, who has been placed at the last two Festivals in the Arkle Trophy and Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Gauvain, Hey Big Spender, Rare Bob, Roberto Goldback, Rubi Light and Tartak are also under orders after 14 were declared.
However, Captain Cee Bee and Somersby are due to run in the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday and have been left in this race as a precaution while Rare Bob was declared for today's Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase.
The two withdrawals were to be expected - Golden Silver, who runs in Wednesday's Queen Mother Champion Chase, and Tranquil Sea, who was counted out a few days ago.
