Drop Out Joe aims to go one better in the BetBright Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster after chasing home Wayward Prince last season.
Charlie Longsdon's eight-year-old arrives on the back of two good wins at Chepstow and Wincanton but has not been seen for over 100 days.
That is not a concern as he goes well fresh, though he is back on Town Moor 19lb higher than last year.
"I think it is a workable mark and there is room for improvement there," said Longsdon.
"He has been a star this year, winning over £50,000 after winning at Chepstow and the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton.
"He might end up being a bet365 (Sandown) horse at the end of the season.
"I decided not to give him an entry in the Grand National this year as it is something I thought might be in next year's plans.
"He is nice horse to have and he is now rated in the 150s and we will look to have a bit of fun."
Alan King's Sego Success was an early casualty in the Classic Chase at Warwick last time out but had won at this track on his penultimate outing.
"He won well over the course in December, when the cheekpieces and front-running tactics seemed to suit him," the Barbury Castle handler told www.alankingracing.co.uk.
"He is none the worse for his subsequent fall at Warwick, and I am glad that we didn't risk him in testing conditions at Haydock a couple of weeks ago. This ground is much more up his street, and I hope he bounces back."
Other runners are appearing as part of their Grand National preparations, including The Druids Nephew, who looked extremely unlucky when he fell at Aintree last year.
Trainer Neil Mulholland said: "This race was always the plan before the Grand National. He will run at Doncaster then head straight to Aintree. He is in good order at home but he might probably be a bit better for having the run, too."
Band Of Blood has just his second start for Dr Richard Newland, having finished fourth in the Irish National last year for Mouse Morris.
"When we bought him we knew he had some wind issues, he had a trapped epiglottis which we've solved," Newland told At The Races.
"I still think the jury is out a little bit on him. I've been pleased with his progress at home, particularly since his last run, and I'd be hoping for a bold show on Saturday.
"He's come down a bit in the weights, mainly because of his problems, but they do have to prove they can still do it.
"Sometimes the handicapper is right but occasionally you can turn it round and they look well handicapped."
Kim Bailey fancies The Last Samuri's chances in the National after he won at Kempton, looking a stout stayer, and this race is being used to tee up an Aintree bid.
Matt Nicholls, Bailey's assistant, said: "It's six and a half weeks before the Grand National so we're not going to run him over three and a quarter miles half-fit - he's going there to do his very best.
"He ran very well first time at Newcastle in the Rehearsal, a race that has worked out really well, and then he went to Kempton. We knew the track wouldn't suit but we had to find some better ground for him.
"He's on 10st 8lb in the National but a lot could happen before then. Good ground is what he wants, touch-wood he jumps well. He's hard as nails. We don't want the bubble to burst on Saturday."
Just A Par represents Paul Nicholls but he would need a big step forward from his first two outings this term.
Nicholls' assistant Tom Jonason said: "He had a couple of runs earlier in the season and they were ordinary enough.
"He won the bet365 on good ground and the thought was Doncaster will provide that as well as anywhere at this time of year.
"He is not so much a character, just an out-and-out stayer that loves passing horses - that is just the way he likes to be ridden. He takes his racing well and stays well to the line. It would be unfair to say his runs earlier in the year were down to his character, he really just needs good ground."
Charlie Mann had declared Seventh Sky for the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury but he will run in this instead.
"We just thought the Newbury race over two and a half would be short enough for him," said Mann.
"He's in good form and I can't believe he's the outsider, I'm hopeful of a good run."
Ikorodu Road, winner of the race in 2012, completes the eight-runner field.