Irish challengers Balko Des Flos and Min star in a six-strong field declared for the JLT Melling Chase at Aintree on Friday.
Henry de Bromhead's Balko Des Flos provided Ryanair and Gigginstown House Stud supremo Michael O'Leary with a long-awaited first victory in the Ryanair Chase at last month's Cheltenham Festival, flooring defending champion Un De Sceaux in the process.
Un De Sceaux's trainer Willie Mullins sends Min to Merseyside for this two-and-a-half-mile Grade One.
The seven-year-old found only Altior too strong in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Prestbury Park and has winning form over this longer distance.
Paul Nicholls saddles Champion Chase fourth Politologue, as well as Grand Annual hero Le Prezien.
The ultra-consistent Cloudy Dream represents trainer Ruth Jefferson, while Colin Tizzard's Sizing Granite, who bounced back to form when winning over hurdles at Newbury three weeks ago, completes the line-up.
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