Graphic Equaliser is 11 to 4 favourite with the sponsors for Saturday's Tote Gold Trophy Handicap Hurdle at Newbury after the weights were raised by 21lb at yesterday's five-day-acceptance stage.
Arthur Moore's six-year-old had been 8lb out of the handicap with a 4lb penalty for his easy win in last month's Ladbroke Hurdle at Leopardstown.
But he will now carry 10st 13lb after yesterday's widely expected defections of Relkeel, Shadow Leader, Marello, plus Cadougold and Grimes.
Irish stables are mounting a strong challenge to win the £100,000-added race for the first time since Irish Fashion in 1976, with five of the 18 possible runners.
Ted Walsh's Commanche Court is a well-fancied 6 to 1 shot, having won easily at Leopardstown in December. The Ladbroke fifth, Advocat, who represents Noel Meade, is a 16 to 1 chance, while Willie Mullins's Native-Darrig is on offer at 20 to 1. The sponsors are offering a special bet of 5 to 4 for any Irishtrained horse to win.
Martin Pipe, successful last season with subsequent Champion Hurdle winner Make A Stand, now has top weight Potentate as his only possible runner.
A spokeswoman for Pipe said a decision over the latter's participation would be made later this week.
One of the principal British challengers is Carlito Brigante, third to Shahrur in the Tote Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton last month.
Trainer Paul Webber said: "He's in good form and a drying week will suit him well. The weights going up is good news for Robert Thornton, who will be able to have some breakfast on Saturday morning."
Nigel Hawke is agonising over whether to run Easy Listening now that his six-year-old has moved into the handicap proper. The horse has an alternative engagement at Wincanton on Thursday and Hawke admitted: "In many ways I'd rather run him at Wincanton, where I think he could win."
Newbury's clerk of the course Richard Pridham said that some rain was forecast this week but said: "Hopefully it will be good ground - it is good at the moment."
Sponsor's betting: 11-4 Graphic Equaliser, 6-1 Commanche Court, Kerawi, 7-1 Mr Percy, 91 Bellator, 14-1 Carlito Brigante, Sharpical, Shooting Light, 16-1 Advocat, Tibetan, 20-1 bar.
William Hill: 10-3 Graphic Equaliser, 11-2 Kerawi, 8-1 Bellator, Commanche Court, Mr Percy, 12-1 Sharpical, Shooting Light, 14-1 Advocat, Tibetan, 16-1 Carlito Brigante, 20-1 Nahrawali, Native-Darrig, Potentate, 25-1 Desert Mountain, 33-1 bar.
Coral: 3-1 Graphic Equaliser, 7-1 Kerawi, Commanche Court, 8-1 Mr Percy, 9-1 Bellator, 12-1 Sharpical, 14-1 bar.
Ladbrokes: 5-2 Graphic Equaliser, 6-1 Kerawi, 7-1 Commance Court, 9-1 Mr Percy, 101 Bellator, 12-1 Tibetan, Shooting Light, Sharpical, 14-1 Advocat, 16-1 Nahrawali, Carlito Brigante, 20-1 bar.
