Last year's respective first and second, Mamlook and Tastahil, will once again lock horns in the totesport.com Chester Cup on Wednesday.
David Pipe's Mamlook has enjoyed a successful season novice chasing through the winter, while Tastahil won the Group Three Jockey Club Cup on his final start.
Others engaged who have been in action over jumps include Donald McCain's Overturn, Nicky Henderson's Sentry Duty, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Swingkeel and Jim Goldie's La Vecchia Scuola.
Mount Athos, Admiral Barry and Dirar form a strong Irish challenge.
Ed Dunlop's Red Cadeaux will have the assistance of Ryan Moore after his fine comeback run at Kempton, but his conqueror on that occasion, Richard Fahey's Cosmic Sun, has missed the cut and is currently only first reserve.
Fahey is instead represented by Halla San, who was third last year.
Godolphin's Darley Sun, long-term absentee Blue Bajan and Mick Channon's recent Ripon winner Montaff are others of interest.
Having been handed stall one in the draw, McCain's Overturn was cut to 9-2 favourite from 10-1 by the sponsors.
‘The draw always has a big effect on the market for the Chester Cup and this year is no exception with Overturn's price tumbling after being given a plum draw in stall one,’ said totesport spokesman George Primarolo.
Red Cadeaux is another to have been supported (7-1 from 9s) after coming out with stall five.
