Liverpool-born owner John Neild is hoping Splash Of Ginge can qualify for the Crabbie's Grand National with a solid performance in the 188Bet Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day.
The seven-year-old has to finish in the first four over three miles or more to come into the reckoning for the world's greatest steeplechase.
That is the dream and while Neild is convinced the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained gelding has the ability to make an impression in staying handicap chases, he is hard to predict judged on his current run of form.
Splash Of Ginge has been highly tried of late but has cut no ice in his last six starts since winning at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.
"It's only a matter of time before he puts it together, but I can't say when it's going to be. If it's on Saturday then I think he wins," said Neild.
"He ran a good race in the Paddy Power and we felt he was running OK in the Hennessy.
"This is not as tough as some of the races he's been in. It's a good race, but not quite as competitive as the Paddy Power or the Hennessy. I genuinely think he's going to put it together one day, but whether it will be on Saturday I don't know.
"With Jamie Bargary's claim we're running off 10st 8lb. I know Holywell is a very good horse, but he's got to give us more than a stone.
"He needs a bit of luck in running and hopefully he'll be bang there.
"If he can come in the first four it means he's qualified for the Grand National. How he runs in his next couple of races to the end of January will dictate whether we go for the National this season or next."
Holywell is certainly the class act in the race but that is reflected in the weight he has to carry.
Jonjo O'Neill's eight-year-old drops in grade after being well beaten in the Charlie Hall and Betfair Chase, both won by Cue Card, and he is tackling a handicap for the first time since being successful at the Cheltenham Festival in 2014.
"He's a great horse but the handicapper has him in his grip, unfortunately, he's probably that few pounds below top class and that makes him awkward to place, really," O'Neill told At The Races.
"I hope he can still have his day as he's a very genuine little horse, but life is very tough for him now. The Rowland Meyrick has been the plan and we're hoping it dries up a bit as he's better on better ground."
Warren Greatrex reports Dolatulo to be in great form since his third place in the Becher Chase on his seasonal reappearance as the eight-year-old bids to become the first dual winner of the Rowland Meyrick.
"Dolatulo has come out of Aintree really well. It was a really good run in the Becher. It was an improvement on his performances at the end of last season," said the Upper Lambourn trainer.
"He had a wind operation over the summer so we kept him fresh for Aintree and, if anything, he was a little bit unlucky. It got a bit close late on and he was probably the best horse finishing.
"That should leave him spot on for Wetherby. We know he likes it around there, he won't mind the ground and it would be great if he could win the race again."
Dan Skelton has aimed What A Good Night at this race since the seven-year-old made amends for a last-fence Stratford fall with victory at Bangor.
"The Rowland Meyrick has been the plan for What A Good Night since he won at Bangor. The first two were clear at Bangor and I am pleased with the way he is progressing," said the Alcester handler.
Kerry Lee is happy to step Top Gamble up to three miles after the seven-year-old finished a creditable third under top weight of 11st 12lb behind Little Jon at Newbury last time out.
"He has come out Newbury really well. It was great to see him bounce back to form and I think it was probably a career-best performance. We are looking forward to trying him over three miles for the first time. He is bred to stay but, until you try, you can never be sure," said the Presteigne trainer.
Micky Hammond's two runners both ran in the same race won by Vivaldi Collonges at Kelso on their latest start, with Irish import Silver Tassie third and Alderbook Lad pulled up.
"Alderbrook Lad seems to be in the handicapper's grip. We were pleased with Silver Tassie's first run for us when he was third at Kelso. If he can step forward from that he can run well," said the Middleham trainer.