Clan Des Obeaux looks the one they all have to beat in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal this afternoon.
Last year's King George winner, partly owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, runs at the venue for the first time and Harry Cobden seems quite bullish about his chances.
His record first-time out is slightly off putting having only won his first race of the season once from four attempts, but his King George run last season is by far the best form on offer here and it's hard to see him not being there or thereabouts at the finish.
He was last seen finishing second to Gold Cup favourite Kemboy in the Aintree Bowl and had today's rival Road To Respect behind him on that occassion.
He faces three Gigginstown runners and Delta Work looks the most interesting of them stepping out of novice company for the first time.
He enjoyed a great campaign last season, finishing third behind Topofthegame and Santini at the Cheltenham Festival before romping home at Punchestown.
Snow Falcon has race fitness on his side and is interesting for Noel Meade having scored at Gowran Park last month, but this one might just the way of the English raider.
Real Steel was an easy winner when last seen in action at Punchestown and could be tough to stop in the Daily Mirror Chase, also at Down Royal, if in similar heart.
Willie Mullins' horses have been in good form in this early part of the season this lad looks to have a great chance of getting him another victory.
There's also top class jumps racing across the water this weekend and Unowhatimeanharry looks a good bet in the Grade 2 bet365 Hurdle at Wetherby.
Harry Fry's runner put some poor efforts behind him to land the Champion Stayers Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival when last seen and has won first time out in the past.
He has run against some very classy opposition in his time and might just be a grade above today's opposition.
And in the Charlie Hall Chase, Aso might just be worth an each-way punt as he goes back up in trip.
He has been a great servant for connections and ran a cracking race to finish second behind Frodon in the Ryanair at Cheltenham.
La Bague Au Roi looks the one to beat, but Aso should run him close at a decent price.
And tomorrow, keep an eye on Lostintranslation, who runs in the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle.
Colin Tizzard's seven-year-old is as short as 8/1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup following his six-length win over Topofthegame in the Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree and is of obvious interest here.
Bet of the weekend - Clan Des Obeaux - 2.25 Down Royal Saturday 2/1
Clan Des Obeaux can follow in the footsteps of Kauto Star by landing the Ladbrokes Champion Chase for Paul Nicholls following his King George success last year.
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