Nicky Henderson is looking forward to getting more match practice into O O Seven when the exciting six-year-old lines up for the bet365 December Novices' Chase at Doncaster on Saturday.
O O Seven was not far off the top as a staying novice hurdler last term and made a successful transition to chasing over an extended two and a half miles at Cheltenham four weeks ago.
Henderson believes the step up to three miles will suit the Flemensfirth gelding.
"He ran a great race last time and has run over three miles last year, he got it well at Musselburgh," said the Seven Barrows handler.
"I might have kept him for the Feltham (at Kempton on Boxing Day), but what happens if Thistlecrack ends up there? That is why we are coming here.
"He did wander coming up the hill at Cheltenham, but that can happen there. He is in great form."
O O Seven's three rivals include Irish raider Bay Of Freedom, who has made a good start to his chasing career, winning both his starts at Listowel and Wexford.
His trainer Peter Fahey is hoping the seven-year-old can continue his progression, despite the stiff opposition.
"It's a very competitive and is a step up from what he's done before," said the County Kildare handler.
"He's travelled over well, he'll enjoy the ground and hopefully he'll run a good race. He's taken to fences very well."
The Lucy Wadham-trained Potters Legend puts his unbeaten record over fences on the line following victories at Kempton and Bangor.
"He was a bit sketchy early on in the race at Bangor, but it was a very sunny day and Leighton (Aspell) said there were a lot of shadows on the first few fences and he was having a look at those," said the Newmarket handler.
"He's schooled very well since and we're looking forward to seeing him in a more competitive race.
"Hopefully he'll run well. It would be nice for him to get a bit of a tow into the race this time rather than having to make his own running."
Paul Nicholls' Present Man, winner of two of his five starts over fences, completes the quartet.
Nicholls has the likely favourite in Cliffs Of Dover for the bet365 Summit Juvenile Hurdle as the three-year-old has already chalked up five wins from six races.
Irish trainer Joseph O'Brien takes him on with both Lord Justice and Zig Zag, who are winners and well experienced over the smaller obstacles.
Alan King admits he is giving French import Timoteo a tough assignment on his British debut, but at least the three-year-old has had experience over hurdles.
"He has been placed in France and this is his first run in England," said the Barbury Castle handler.
"We are on a fact-finding mission and we might be biting off more than we can really deal with, but we will give it a go.
"Cliffs Of Dover is in there and he would set a fairly high standard, but we've got to get him out and see where we are."