Last year's winner Binocular heads a field of 13 left in the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday.
The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old is one of two probables from the Nicky Henderson team. The other is Welsh Champion Hurdle winner Oscar Whisky, while Khyber Kim, who was runner-up 12 months ago, could try to go one better for Nigel Twiston-Davies.
Menorah, who took the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on this card last year, is a strong candidate from the Philip Hobbs stable, having won both of his starts at Cheltenham this term. Peddlers Cross, who also won at the 2010 Festival, represents trainer Donald McCain, along with Overturn, and has a 100% record to defend.
Alan King is double-handed with the progressive Mille Chief and Salden Licht, while there are three Irish challengers in the Willie Mullins-trained pair of Hurricane Fly and Thousand Stars - plus Philip Fenton's Dunguib. Clerk's Choice and Bygones Of Brid make up the baker's dozen.
Get Me Out Of Here, also owned by McManus, has been withdrawn, along with Cue Card, who instead goes for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
The going at Cheltenham is described as good to soft, good in places Simon Claisse, the clerk of the course and director of racing, said: "We have seen some light rain and the forecast is for further light rain and showers up to Monday.
"The acceptors for Centenary Day look fantastic and we have an extremely high-class renewal of the Stan James Champion Hurdle in prospect."
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