Brian Ellison feels Definitly Red can continue on an upward curve in today's totepool Towton Novices' Chase at Wetherby after finishing a clear second to Willie Mullins' Black Hercules at Warwick last month.
Although beaten two and three-quarter lengths by the Irish raider, Definitly Red was 20 lengths clear of Emily Gray in third place.
Ellison was delighted with that performance as he saw it as a big improvement on his success at Catterick on his debut over fences.
"He ran very well last time and seems to have come out of the race really well and that's why we're running him," said the North Yorkshire trainer.
"It was a big step up on his run at Catterick and we're hoping he can step up again.
"He looks in great form at home so we're going to have a go."
Blaklion, a winner over an extended three miles at Cheltenham in December, steps back up to that distance after failing by just three and a quarter lengths to cope with Seeyouatmidnight in the Dipper Novices' Chase over two miles and five furlongs at the same venue.
Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has one eye on the RSA Chase at the Festival next month should Blaklion come through this test.
"We were beaten three lengths by Seeyouatmidnight in the Dipper over half a mile too short a trip for us and we were giving him 3lb," said the Naunton handler.
"At the moment I'd have thought three miles was his trip, but we'll see what happens in this, he's got options. I'd have thought he'd be heading towards the RSA."
How Native River performs will decide which race he goes for at Cheltenham, with the RSA and the four-mile National Hunt Chase his two options.
Native River won in good style at Exeter and Newbury before only finishing third in the Feltham at Kempton on Boxing Day.
However, his trainer Colin Tizzard felt the six-year-old ran with credit as he did not act on the track.
"This is Native River's prep race for Cheltenham and should give us an idea of whether to go for the RSA Chase or National Hunt Chase," said Tizzard.
"He appeared to jump left at Kempton, which was obviously costing him ground all the way around. He got into all sorts of trouble and did not seem to act around there at all. It is to his credit that he was only beaten as far as he was (just under eight lengths).
"The Towton is a good prize and we think that Wetherby will suit him much better than Kempton. He won nicely at Newbury the time before in a similar race.
"It would be nice to think he is good enough for the RSA, but if he is a staying-on third then he will probably go for the National Hunt Chase."
Michael Scudamore is hoping Kingswell Theatre can get his career back on track after suffering a cut when well beaten in a handicap chase at Haydock on his latest start. The seven-year-old had looked a decent recruit when winning his first two races over fences at Market Rasen and Chepstow.
"He's got a fair bit to find on official ratings, but he head reasons for his poor run last time," said the Ross-on-Wye trainer.
"We are hoping he can put that behind him and we'll learn a bit more about him. He is going the right way.
"He suffered a nasty cut last time which hopefully should explain that run. The form of his Chepstow win has worked out OK and he was looking a promising young chaser then. He's in at the deep end, but we will see where we are with him."
The Harry Fry-trained Bitofapuzzle will try to get her act together after unseating her rider when odds on at Thurles last month. The mare has also been declared for the Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown, but Wetherby is her first preference.
The six runners are completed by Tim Easterby's Run Ructions Run, who has been placed behind the Nicky Henderson-trained pair of L'Ami Serge and Ma Filleule since winning over this course and distance in November.