Reve De Sivola will face four rivals when he bids for a third successive victory in the JLT Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday.
The Nick Williams-trained nine-year-old has clinched the Grade One prize for the past two seasons and looks set to encounter his favoured testing conditions on his return to Berkshire this weekend.
Daryl Jacob's mount is on something of a recovery mission, however, having been largely disappointing since his triumph 12 months ago, most recently finishing down the field behind the reopposing Zarkandar at Auteuil at the beginning of November.
Zarkandar, representing Paul Nicholls and Sam Twiston-Davies, is a hot favourite to strike at the top level for a fourth time.
Alan King's Medinas earned his place in the field with an impressive victory over Cole Harden and the previously unbeaten More Of That in last month's Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury. Wayne Hutchinson takes over from Richard Johnson in the saddle after returning from injury.
Reve De Sivola is joined by stable companion Aubusson, who steps up in class after his lucrative victory under Lizzie Kelly in last month's "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle at Haydock. Kelly retains the mount.
The field is completed by last year's Greatwood Hurdle winner Dell' Arca, who is sent back over smaller obstacles by David Pipe following a couple of fair efforts over fences.
