Hollybank Buck, winner of last season's Tote Eider Chase, is likely to return to Britain for the Tote Becher Chase at Aintree on Sunday.
The nine-year-old, who was also placed behind Young Kenny in both the Midlands and Scottish Grand Nationals, is among 16 entries for the £50,000-added prize over three miles and three furlongs.
"The intention at this stage is to run with Norman Williamson aboard, but if he has other commitments Fran Flood will ride," Co Meath trainer Tony Martin said yesterday.
Flood took the mount when Hollybank Buck was an encouraging third to Feeling Grand, giving the winner 35lb, at Naas earlier this month.
"He had a nice run round there and has come out of the race well," said Martin."
Call It A Day, who separated Young Kenny and Hollybank Buck in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter before finishing third to Bobbyjo in the National itself, is among 16 entries for Sunday's feature over the National fences.
The first three home in last year's Becher Chase - Earth Summit, Samlee and Back Bar - as well as National fifth Feels Like Gold are also on the list.
As for the National, Martin added: "Sunday will tell us more although the ground might not be heavy enough for him at that time of year. But if we have a wet spring you never know. Anyway, we'll see how he fares over the fences first before thinking about that one."
ENTRIES: Art Prince, Back Bar, Burnt Imp, Call It A Day, Camelot Knight, Earth Summit, Esprit De Cotte, Fanfaron, Feels Like Gold, Frazer Island, Him of Praise, Hollybank Buck, Jathib, Mister Muddypaws, Samlee and The Eens.
Imperial Call, winner of the 1996 Cheltenham Gold Cup, is set to return to action in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on December 4th having finished lame on his reappearance at Gowran Park last month.
There are 16 horses entered and Sarah Lane, spokeswoman for the 10-year-old's owners Lisaleen Farms, said "The horse had disc trouble in his back but Dan O'Neill, the owner of Danoli, specialises in this problem with horses and appears to have cured it as far as Imperial Call is concerned.
"The horse is now in good form and we're hopeful of running in the Punchestown race."
There are three English entries Ashwell Boy, Mulligan and Lake Kariba.
Philip Hobbs trainer of Ashwell Boy said: "He was entered because the owners will be in Ireland at that time but he is an unlikely runner."
Willie Mullins trainer of Florida Pearl said that his horse misses Punchestown and would head for the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Meanwhile, Compton Angel, Gerard Butler's all weather scorer, bids for some French black type in the Listed Prix Solitude (1m) at Saint-Cloud today. Thierry Jarnet's mount easily won a handicap on the Lingfield equitrack, although this represents a big step up in class.
An 11 strong field includes a previous group three winner, Comillas, but a greater threat may be posed by Cerita from the inform Carlos Laffon-Parias yard.
Cerita is best judged on her second to Danzigaway in the Listed Prix Coronation.
Danzigaway has since given the form a healthy boost by finishing fourth in the Prix de la Foret (Group One) and easily taking the Group Three Prix Perth.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club reports that David Elsworth is very keen on the chances of Lear Spear in the Group One Hong Kong Cup on December 12th.
The trainer said: "Lear Spear is a group one horse but he didn't enjoy the soft ground in the Champion Stakes.
"He wasn't beaten far despite finishing ninth. He is very, very well and if the Hong Kong race was run tomorrow he would win it".
Lear Spear has made big strides forward this term, haven taken the Diomed Stakes, the Princess of Wales's Stakes and the Select Stakes.
Contrary to reports yesterday Saffron Walden, winner of this year's Irish 2,000 Guineas, is not a candidate for Cheltenham's Triumph Hurdle. Aidan O'Brien is looking forward to campaigning the son of Sadler's Wells in Group One races between a mile and 10 furlongs next year and his early season target could be the Lockinge Stakes of the Prix Ganay.
