The Last Samuri will have to defy a hefty rise in the weights if he is to complete back-to-back victories in the BetBright Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at Doncaster on Saturday.
Kim Bailey's smart performer carried 11st 6lb when successful in 2016 off a mark of 149 on his way to finishing second in the Grand National.
As a result of his mighty performance behind Rule The World and another fine effort back at Aintree, when third in the Becher Chase in December, The Last Samuri has a mark of 161 and is burdened with 11st 12lb on Town Moor.
However, Bailey could not be happier with the condition of the nine-year-old, who carries the colours of Paul and Clare Rooney.
The Andoversford trainer said: "He has top weight so it's a slightly different ball game to what he had last year but, having said that, he's in good form and I'm very happy with him.
"He likes a small field, really. He's a front-runner so he'll probably be out there in front. I'd be happy with that. The size of the field isn't a major issue. He's an experienced handicapper.
"There's very few horses as tough as him. He's only a small horse, so to carry lumps of weight is not ideal, but he'd run through a brick wall for you. "
The Last Samuri will be ridden by his regular partner David Bass, who is looking forward to the race but admits it is no gimme.
"Brian Ellison's horse (Definitly Red) is quite progressive and there's a few lurking at the bottom that could be tough to give weight to, but our horse is brilliant," he said.
"He's so tough, so consistent. He loves his job and doesn't know when to give in. He's a pleasure to ride."
Definitly Red was a good winner of the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day but unseated his rider when he looked beaten in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on his only subsequent start.
As the eight-year-old has yet to run beyond three miles, Ellison issued a word of caution, but reports his chaser in tip-top shape.
"He's in good fettle and is in good form," said the North Yorkshire handler.
"He schooled well this week and I'm very happy with him.
"He needs to prove he gets three-mile-two. He's never run over that trip before."
Looking Well did Nicky Richards proud when second in the Sky Bet Chase over three miles at this course in January.
The Greystoke handler is hoping for another good effort, especially if there is not a lot of rain ahead of the extended three-and-a-quarter-mile feature.
"He ran a smashing race in the old Great Yorkshire Chase (Sky Bet Chase) and I expect him to run a smashing race again," he said.
"I hope it doesn't rain too much. He wants a bit better ground, but it was fairly soft last time so hopefully he'll be fine.
"His main target is the Scottish National if everything goes to plan."
Looking Well was runner-up behind Ziga Boy, whose trainer Alan King is represented by Sego Success.
He was fourth of the five finishers 12 months ago and is a hard horse to gauge so King is just praying the nine-year-old is on a going day.
"He's a rather inconsistent horse. He can be very good and he can be pretty awful," said the Barbury Castle handler.
"He seems in good form. We schooled him on Thursday morning and he has ran well round Doncaster.
"He has as many disappointing days as he has good ones.
"I'm not sure he gets much further than three miles. Maybe he wants better ground. We'll go there and see."
Sego Success was pulled up in the Classic Chase at Warwick, as was the Paul Nicholls-trained Vivaldi Collonges.
"Vivaldi Collonges disappointed in the same race at Warwick last year and on his next start he won," the Ditcheat handler told At The Races.
"The problem with him is he won three novice chases last season in small fields quite well and ended up rated over 150, which is a high old mark for him.
"He's looking for better ground. I hope it's not too soft for him but he's got to go somewhere and he's en route to running in the Grand National.
"He's always been a better horse on better ground in the spring."
Heavy rain in South Yorkshire would cheer Venetia Williams, who saddles Yala Enki[, who won in good style at Haydock in December when conditions suited him.
However, he was only fourth in the Rowland Meyrick on better ground at Wetherby later that month.
Williams said: "The more rain they get at Doncaster the better it will suit him. He's never been this far before and he has a lot of ground to make up on Definitly Red."
Completing the line-up is Sue Smith's Wakanda, who was ahead of Yala Enki when second to Definitly Red at Wetherby.
