EDDIE Harty's Cheltenham Gold Cup fancy was a winner at the Berkshire course on his comeback but his best effort came when just being touched off by Our Duke in a Grade 1 last term.

Nicky Henderson's Top Notch is at the head of the betting for the Grade 1 feature on the strength of his Peterborough Chase triumph. He is also a winner at Grade 2 level over the same course and distance he faces this weekend.

Waiting Patiently takes his chance for Ruth Jefferson and he is unbeaten in five starts over fences, including a defeat of Tingle Creek scorer Politologue.

Dual winner Cue Card, reunited with Paddy Brennan, aims to bounce back to something like his best, while Paul Nicholls and Bryony Frost team up with Frodon.

Clarence House runner-up Speredek is not out of it over this extended trip, with Gary Moore's Traffic Fluide, who finished third in the Melling Chase last year, the outsider of the field.