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Colin Tizzard is expecting a 'big run' as Cue Card targets his fourth victory in the Betfair Chase at Haydock this afternoon.
Only the great Kauto Star has landed this prize four times, and Tizzard's popular chaser comes into the race after falling in his last outing.
Despite a less than ideal run in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby, the Dorset-based trainer is confident of a bold run.
"It's a lovely opportunity for him to win his fourth Chase," said Tizzard.
"He is very effective around there. If he was an eight-year-old, with his form from last season, he would be an odds-on favourite now.
"He was running beautifully at Wetherby and he has been in good form since, so I think he will run a big race.
"On ratings we are 10lb clear - no disrespect to them, but we have won around there three times. I think we should be vying for favouritism."
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Nigel Twiston-Davies won this contest in 2010 with Imperial Commander, and saddles Bristol De Mai
Bristol De Mai picked up the pieces after Cue Card's fall in Yorkshire last month to see off stablemate Blaklion in the three mile contest.
The former Peter Marsh winner should relish the heavy ground in Lancashire, and is two from two at this venue.
"He's had a clear run since Wetherby," Carl Llewellyn, assistant to Nigel Twiston-Davies.
"The ground's come for him. He's a good horse anyway, but on soft and heavy he's probably even better."
"Cue Card's a good horse. He's done it all before. He was a shorter price than us at Wetherby and just because he fell people have forgotten about him a little bit.
"It will be tough to beat him at his best, but our horse has done nothing wrong and is going there in great form."
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Tea For Two beat Cue Card at Aintree when the pair met in April
Outlander is the sole Irish representative in the field, and comes here off the back of an encouraging Champion Chase win at Down Royal last time out. Gordon Elliott's nine-year-old should love the conditions.
"He retains the cheekpieces that certainly looked to have helped things along last time out where he won the JNwine Champion Chase at Down Royal.
"Prior to that, he had lost himself a little but we took him hunting and did some showjumping with him to give him a change of scenery and try to sweeten him up, and it paid off.
"Hopefully it wasn't a one off, as he faces some tough competition today. He will love the ground and I'm confident if he's on form of a big run."
Betway Bowl winner Tea For Two lines up for Nick Williams. Traffic Fluide and Shantou Flyer also line up.
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