Cue Card will attempt to make it fourth-time lucky in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
One of the stories of this season has been the rejuvenation of Colin Tizzard's stable star following an operation for a trapped epiglottis.
His victories in the Charlie Hall and the Betfair Chase have seen him bounce right back to his best as he bids to finally win the King George, coming closest so far when second to Silviniaco Conti two years ago.
Tizzard said: "Cue Card is absolutely fine and it's all stations go to the King George. He has done his last piece of fast work and he will now just be left cantering away until the race.
"He has already won two big races so he is under no pressure as long as he shows up to the best of his ability."
Winner of the last two renewals, Paul Nicholls' Silviniaco Conti arrives as something of a forgotten horse.
He has been suffering with sarcoids, wart-like growths which are uncomfortable when he is tacked up, but Nicholls expects an improved display from when Cue Card put him in his place at Haydock.
"It was all a bit of a rush before Haydock, hence we ran him in a hurdle race, but I was still pleased with him. No excuses, he wouldn't have beaten Cue Card, but I just know we can get him better than he was that day," Nicholls told Racing UK.
"He's in a good place now, he had a racecourse gallop last week and he's that much sharper and fitter than he was at Haydock.
"It looks a hotter race this year and his toughest task, but he loves going right-handed.
"There'll be plenty of pace, we can ride him anywhere, to be honest. I think we're getting to where we were, but it's a tougher race so he'll need to improve. Last year he beat Dynaste and Al Ferof, we probably beat Dynaste the same at Haydock as we did at Kempton.
"With Cue Card having the wind op, the same as Al Ferof, they've improved and with the Irish horses (Don Cossack, Vautour and Valseur Lido) it's a totally different race, he'll need a career-best to win, I've no doubt about that."
Smad Place adds a fascinating dimension on the back of his terrific effort in winning the Hennessy Gold Cup, leading from halfway and jumping for fun before drawing emphatically clear of Theatre Guide.
Alan King was initially reluctant to commit to Kempton, but recent work at home has persuaded him to take his chance with the grey.
King told his website: "He goes there at the top of his game, having pleased Wayne (Hutchinson) when schooling over six fences on Monday, following a very encouraging workout 48 hours earlier.
"Going to Kempton rather than waiting for the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham next month makes sense as if we do decide to aim for the Gold Cup it gives us that bit extra time to get him ready for the Festival.
"Smad Place went up 13lb for winning the Hennessy, so, while he is stepping up another notch on the ladder, he came out of Newbury so well and his new rating suggests he would not have to progress much more to be right there in the mix with the big boys. He is in great shape and we are hoping for the best."
Al Ferof will have his first in the race for Dan Skelton, having finished third in it the last twice, Irish Cavalier steps up in grade for Rebecca Curtis with Ballynagour representing David Pipe.