Ben Pauling is looking forward to saddling ante-post favourite Barters Hill in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham after declaring himself happy with his charge despite a scare earlier in the week.
The six-year-old won all his four bumpers last term and is unbeaten in three races over jumps so far, for which he has been sent off odds-on every time.
After winning his novice at Huntingdon in November, Barters Hill took the Grade One Challow Hurdle at Newbury and landed a Grade Two at Doncaster in January.
Pauling reports his stable star to be all set for his big test, having given connections a fright when pulling out stiff on Wednesday.
"He's fit, healthy and ready to go," said Pauling.
"We're very excited. He's in the form of his life and we'll go from there. It will be a good day and we're very much looking forward to it."
David Bass has ridden Barters Hill in all but one of his starts and has been counting down the days.
"I can't wait to get back on Barters Hill. He is just a very good horse. His profile is unbelievable and I cannot think of many horses who have done what he has at this stage of their career," said Bass.
"To win four bumpers and three novice hurdles, including very good races at Aintree, Newbury and Doncaster, is some achievement and the form is working out everywhere.
"It takes a bit of persuasion to get Barters Hill into top gear, but he has got a good cruising speed and stays really well which is what you need for those championship races over three miles. I think he has an outstanding chance."
Neil Mulholland feels Shantou Village has plenty in his favour as he bids to get back in the winning groove after finishing second to Yanworth on Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham in January.
"He's in good form. The ground has dried out so we're hopeful of a good run," said the Bath trainer.
"He won his point-to-point over three miles when he was a younger horse. He's got stronger since then and we'd be hoping that stepping him up in trip might improve him. He ticks a lot of boxes. Everything's great, he hasn't missed a beat since his last run."
Unowhatimeanharry has come on in leaps and bounds this season, much to the delight, and surprise, of trainer Harry Fry.
"Having qualified for the Pertemps last time at Exeter we thought that would be the route we go but the handicapper was very taken by the race and put him up 14lb to 152," said Fry.
"As he is still a novice we thought we would take our chance. He has seriously improved all season and he has won at Cheltenham twice, including in an Albert Bartlett trial. It was probably not the strongest renewal, but all he could do was win.
"He is in great form at home and hopefully he can continue that upward curve and give the racing club another good day."
Solstice Star takes his chance after being balloted out of the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle on the same card. He was only in action on Saturday when second in the Imperial Cup at Sandown, but trainer Martin Keighley reports Solstice Star to have taken those exertions in his stride.
"If he had got into the Martin Pipe he'd have run off his previous mark and would have been 6lb well-in on official ratings, but he missed the cut. I spoke to the owners. We had the option of the Albert Bartlett and decided to let him take his chance," said Keighley.
"The step up to three miles shouldn't be too much of a worry. He's been doing all his winning on very soft ground so the step up in trip will counteract the ground, hopefully. He'll have a nice long holiday in the summer. He's been bucking and squealing and looks really good."
Willie Mullins is making a powerful bid to win this race for the first time by saddling no fewer than seven of the runners.
His septet is headed by Long Dog, who has won his last six starts that included Grade One races at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown. B achasson, Balko Des Flos, Bleu Et Rouge, Gangster, Open Eagle and Up For Review undoubtedly give the Closutton handler a formidable hand.
The one other Irish-trained challenger is Fagan from the Gordon Elliott stable and he is hopeful of a good run despite the six-year-old having plenty to do on the ratings.
"We went to Musselburgh the last day and he was beaten by O O Seven, but I thought it was a very good run," said Elliott.
"He won't disgrace himself and will have a good chance of finishing in the first four or five. I wouldn't send him if I thought he'd be tailed off and I bet you there'll be more behind him than in front of him. He could sneak into a place, definitely."
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