The New One faces a maximum of six rivals in the StanJames.com Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock on Saturday.
The Grade Two contest still received a single figure entry despite being re-opened following the initial deadline on Monday.
The New One, winner of all his three starts this term including on this track in November, has been declared an intended runner by his trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies as part of his preparation for the Champion Hurdle, in which he was third last March.
Dan Skelton's Bertimont, who was sixth to The New One in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, could renew rivalry on Merseyside.
Desert Cry, trained by Donald McCain, has been campaigned over fences for the last couple of seasons but was second in this race three years ago.
Oliver Sherwood has put in his novice Got The Nac while Richard Ford's Swaledale Lad and Strongpoint and Trucking Along, trained in Ireland by Stuart Crawford, make up the seven possibles.
