Exciting novice Coneygree gets to test the water against seasoned chasers in Saturday’s Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury.
Trained by Mark Bradstock, the eight-year-old was a classy novice hurdler two seasons ago but was forced to miss the whole of the last campaign through injury.
He was thrown right into the heat of the action on his return in Grade Two company at Newbury but he jumped like an old hand, beating Dell 'Arca, with Saphir Du Rheu a faller.
It was a Grade One next and the Feltham Novices' Chase at Christmas and as he set a relentless gallop in front, one by one his rivals either fell or faded away and he won by 40 lengths.
He has been given what at the moment looks an ambitious entry in the Gold Cup, but if he beats the like of Houblon Des Obeaux and Unioniste, connections are well entitled to have a crack.
"It should be a good test, but that's what we want. We want to know exactly where we are with the horse," said Bradstock's wife, Sara.
"Considering the only horses that have beaten him over jumps are At Fishers Cross and The New One, he's probably not badly handicapped on 153! We're not going down the handicap route at the moment, obviously.
"It will be interesting to see what happens on Saturday."
With Nico de Boinville suspended and Tony McCoy claimed for Taquin Du Seuil, Richard Johnson rides Coneygree.
The Paul Nicholls-trained Unioniste returned to winning ways at Sandown and a potential Grand National tilt may hinge on how he gets on in this.
His owner John Hales feels he may have too much weight at Aintree, however.
"I think he is ready for the step back up in class. It is a level-weights race and that will tell us how much he has progressed, but he deserves to take his chance - I don't think there is any doubt about that," said Hales.
"There is a lot of interest in him about the Grand National but we are worried about what weight he will get.
"I think people would like to see him there judging by articles I have read. The public love to see a grey horse in the Grand National but it will all depend on whether or not he is given a realistic chance.
"If we think he is then we will probably have a crack at it, but if he is given too much weight we will bypass it this year and wait until he is an eight-year-old."
Kim Bailey has bemoaned a lack of suitable opportunities for Harry Topper, who will be ridden by Barry Geraghty for the first time.
Winner of this race last year, he is now giving weight away to higher-rated horses.
"It's not ideal that Jason (Maguire) can't ride him. He's got to be at Uttoxeter for Donald (McCain). We've booked Barry but he is a horse who takes a bit of knowing," said Bailey.
"He's in very good form but whether he's good enough is another question.
"He's an impossible horse to place, really, as even though he's been dropped a couple of pounds he's still on 158 so would be top weight in handicaps and I'm not sure Cheltenham really suits him.
"He likes Newbury, but this looks a good race and we just hope for the best."
Nigel Twiston-Davies is never afraid of taking on the big guns and he believes Double Ross will fare better than on his last two starts.
"On the ratings he's right in the mix," he said.
"He was brought down first time out but then ran a really good race in the Charlie Hall up at Wetherby.
"Since then he's just had a couple of niggly problems but I think he's right back to his best now."
Jonjo O'Neill's Taquin Du Seuil, not seen since pulling up in the Betfair Chase, and Hennessy runner-up Houblon Des Obeaux complete a fascinating six-runner field.
