Cheltenham's seven-race card tomorrow on Friday is headlined by the Grade Three Ryman Stationery Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles.
Owner Tim Radford, founder of new Cheltenham Gold Cup sponsor Timico Technology Group, is represented by Knock House (Mick Channon/Brian Hughes), who steps up another furlong having defied top-weight to win The Cheltenham Club Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase by a neck at The Open last time out. The six-year-old also finished fifth behind Irish Cavalier in the Listed CHAPS Restaurants Barbados Novices' Handicap Chase at The Festival in March.
Trainer Mick Channon said today: "Knock House is in great form.
"We were delighted with the performance last time. We know he is nice, progressive young horse and he has got everything in front of him.
"We have got to be hopeful of another good run tomorrow. The slight doubt would be going up in trip again but we will learn more about him.
"There was an option for him at Ascot next week but Tim (Radford) has just sponsored the Gold Cup and is very keen on going to Cheltenham."
The opposition features Festival hero The Druids Nephew (Neil Mulholland/Barry Geraghty) and Sausalito Sunrise (Philip Hobbs/Richard Johnson), who bounced back to win the valuable Grade Three Murphy Group Handicap Chase at The Open.
David Pipe has won three of the last eight renewals and relies on Vieux Lion Rouge (Tom Scudamore), who maintained his unbeaten record over fences at Haydock Park on November 21.
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is doubly represented through top-weight Wonderful Charm (Sam Twiston-Davies) and Mon Parrain (Sean Bowen), both of whom are making their seasonal returns.
The 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up On His Own (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) features among a field of 14 for the £35,000 Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase (2.20pm). The three mile, six-furlong event is run as a conditions race for the first time this year.
Cross-country specialists Josies Orders (Enda Bolger/Nina Carberry) and Any Currency (Martin Keighley/Richard Johnson) are set for an intriguing rematch. Josies Orders came out on top by a length and a quarter at The Open but Any Currency enjoys a 23lb pull in the weights.
Other contenders include French raider Martalin (Patrice Quinton/Arnold Cisel), Festival victor Rivage d'Or (Tony Martin/Davy Russell) and 14-year-old Uncle Junior (Willie Mullins/Patrick Mullins), who will be having his 13th start over the unique course.
Racing gets underway at 12.00pm with a fascinating renewal of the £23,000 Harrison James & Hardie Novices' Chase over an extended three miles and a furlong. Vincente (Paul Nicholls/Sam Twiston-Davies) won a similar contest at The Open, in which Blaklion (Nigel Twiston-Davies/Ryan Hatch) fell when travelling well, and will have to concede upwards of 3lb to his five rivals. They include Exeter scorer Onenightinvienna (Philip Hobbs/Tom O'Brien) and the highly-regarded Minella Rocco (Jonjo O'Neill/Barry Geraghty).
