Vautour is set to face 15 rivals when he makes his highly-anticipated chasing debut at Navan on Sunday.
The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old was unbeaten in five starts over obstacles last term, striking three times at Grade One level including a stunning all-the-way success in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
While his similarly breathtaking stablemate Faugheen stays over hurdles, Vautour will embark on a career over the larger obstacles and is already towards the top of ante-post lists for the Arkle and the JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham next March.
Mullins said: "Navan is a big, stiff track and should suit him.
"I've been happy with his schooling and he's ready to start off."
While Vautour will undoubtedly be a long odds-on favourite for the Irish Stallions Farms EBF Beginners Chase, he does at least face a handful of interesting opponents in the two-mile-one-furlong contest.
Leading owner JP McManus has lined up a strong hand to take on the market leader, with Minella Foru, Western Boy, Capital Pursuit and Flaming Dawn all in the field.
The Pat Fahy-trained Western Boy pushed Vautour close at Punchestown in January, but was well behind him at Cheltenham and was no match for Faugheen at the Punchestown Festival.
Minella Foru was also talented over the smaller obstacles, winning a Grade Three at Navan and finishing sixth in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Trainer Eddie Harty said: "I was happy with his first run (over fences) at Naas the last day. He jumped well and ran a good race to finish third.
"If he comes on for that and makes normal improvement, he should run well on Sunday.
"It all comes down to whether Vautour is as good as he looked last season and whether he's as good over fences.
"You've got to take them on some time, so we'll give it a go."
Gordon Elliott's Gigginstown runner Clarcam, who mixed at the top level in juvenile hurdles last season and made a winning return at Limerick last month, also features.
