Ante-post favourite Prospect Wells heads a field of 21 confirmed for the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday.
The Graham Wylie-owned novice, trained by Paul Nicholls, has taken to hurdling well, winning two of his three starts, while the Ditcheat handler is also responsible for the top weight Brampour and Tonic Mellysse.
Edward O'Grady's Sailors Warn and the Willie Mullins-trained Tawaagg are the two Irish representatives left.
Brian Ellison could run Marsh Warbler or Abergavenny while Imperial Cup winner Alarazi is also a possible.
Nicky Henderson, who has such a good record in the race, has left in Gibb River and Rajdhani Express while Donald McCain could run Desert Cry.
Alan King reports Raya Star to be in fine shape ahead of the valuable handicap. "We've left him in and the intention is for him to run, all being well between now and the weekend," said the Barbury Castle trainer.
"He's in good form and he ran well at Newbury last time - that was probably his best run."
Tom George was forced to withdraw Olofi after the Greatwood Hurdle runner-up scoped dirty.
The Slad handler said: "He's not going for the Ladbroke. He didn't scope clean which is frustrating, but he's got some rock-solid form and we'll get him right. We haven't decided where we are going to run him yet. All we know at the moment is we can't run him at the weekend. We'll see how we go."
Another to miss the race is Philip Hobbs' Featherbed Lane, who holds an alternative engagement at Haydock.
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