Moscow Flyer will face six rivals when he bids to get his season back on track in the Martell Cognac Melling Chase at Aintree on today.
Last time out the Jessica Harrington-trained 10-year-old unseated Barry Geraghty four fences from home, when attempting to repeat his victory of 2003 in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Moscow Flyer is reported none the worse for the experience but will be trying two and a half miles over fences for the first time in Friday's Grade One contest.
"He's gone over in great form. He's taking on two and a half miles for the first time but I don't think he'll have a problem," Mrs Harrington said.
"He didn't really have a race (at Cheltenham)."
Heading the opposition is Native Upmanship, who is on a Melling Chase hat-trick.
His trainer Arthur Moore said: "It looks a tougher race than it was the last two years.
"He's in good form and I'm very happy with him. We think he is as good as ever. You never know until he runs but we are hopeful that he is."
The 11-year-old was beaten at odds-on on his most recent outing when third of four behind Strong Run at Naas in February but Moore added: "It was probably a bit sharp for him over two miles."
Paul Nicholls runs Cenkos and Le Roi Miguel while Philip Hobbs will be represented by Champion Chase runner-up Flagship Uberalles.
The line-up for the £150,000 contest is completed by Nicky Henderson's progressive handicapper Isio and the John Cornwall-trained outsider Strong Magic.