Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Vautour is the standout name among nine entries for the Stella Artois 1965 Chase at Ascot on Saturday.
The six-year-old won at the Cheltenham Festival for the second successive year when last seen running out a scintillating winner of the JLT Novices' Chase in March, and is one of two possible runners for Willie Mullins along with dual Grade One winner Valseur Lido.
Paul Nicholls has saddled four of the last five winners of the two-mile-five-furlong Grade Two, with Master Minded and Al Ferof both winning back-to-back renewals.
This year the master of Ditcheat is set to rely on Ptit Zig, who will have to concede weight all round after making a successful start to this season in the Powers Irish Whiskey Chase at Down Royal last month.
In-form trainer Philip Hobbs could saddle Captain Chris, who claimed this race in 2012 but has been sidelined by injury since winning the Ascot Chase in February of last year.
O'Faolains Boy could also make his return from a lengthy absence for Rebecca Curtis, while David Bridgwater has entered stable star The Giant Bolster.
Third Intention, Seventh Sky and Open Hearted complete the list.
