Easysland and Tiger Roll will cross swords once again in a top-class renewal of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Friday.
Gordon Elliott's dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll was sent off the odds-on favourite to complete his Aintree preparations with victory in the cross-country feature at the Festival back in March - only for French raider Easysland to dish out a 17-length beating.
Trained by David Cottin, Easysland was unbeaten in his previous six starts before that effortless victory - with JP McManus snapping up the six-year-old prior to his Festival run.
Easysland has not been seen since the Festival, and while in contrast Tiger Roll enjoyed a spin on the Flat at Navan last month he will have to concede 4lb to his old rival this time after the pair raced off level weights in March.
Adding further interest to the three-mile-six-furlong event is the Christian Williams-trained Potters Corner, who will be having his first start over the cross-country obstacles.
The 10-year-old won the Welsh National on his latest start in December, with a planned Grand National run scuppered by the Covid-19 lockdown and cancellation of the Aintree meeting - although he did win the virtual version that proved so popular.
Cottin also runs Vino Royale with Little Bruce, Kings Temptation, Beau De Brizais, Vivas and Kingswell Theatre - winner of this race in 2017 - all having to run from out of the handicap due to Tiger Roll's mark of 171.
