Irish challenger Benefficient faces five rivals in what promises to be an intriguing GPG Novices' Chase at Newbury on Thursday.
The six-year-old was a shock 50-1 winner of the Grade One Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown last season and looks set to take high rank over fences judged on an impressive display at Down Royal last time.
Trainer Tony Martin admits he would prefer to be running his charge on better ground ideally, but he feels conditions in Berkshire may be more suitable for him than what he might encounter at home at the moment.
"It's a hot enough race but hopefully he'll put up a good show. He's a horse who should stay well and we were very happy with how he won the last day. He's a better ground horse really, which is why we're travelling over with him. I know it's not going to be good ground, but it should be better than what we've got in Ireland," said Martin.
Highland Lodge has been the apple of Emma Lavelle's eye for quite some time and having shown smart form over hurdles, he made a most impressive start to his career over fences at Towcester three weeks ago.
"It's one of those exciting moments and it's going to be very interesting to see what happens. He came out of his race at Towcester really well and we're looking forward to seeing him run again. I hope he'll handle the ground all right," said Lavelle.
The Evan Williams-trained Makethe Mostofnow scraped home on his introduction to fences at Ffos Las, but the Welsh trainer feels his seven-year-old will strip fitter for the Grade Two test, which is registered as the Worcester Novices' Chase.
"He was quite lucky to win at Ffos Las, but I've just got the feeling he has improved a fair bit since then. He improved quite a lot for his first run last year and I don't think the ground will be a problem for him, so we'll give it a go and see what happens," said Williams.
Kim Bailey's Harry Topper is also one from one over the larger obstacles following last month's victory at Exeter, but his trainer said: "I'm happy with the horse, but he is still quite weak and he's still a baby and I would rather not be running him in a race like this.
"However, because of the novice chasing programme now there are hardly any races to run him in. There was one at Haydock last week, this one and another one at Ascot and that's it between now and Christmas. I think it's totally wrong."
13 May 2013
Fabre confirms Ocovango for EpsomAspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout
12 May 2013
No hurry for Jammy plansGuest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning
11 May 2013
Felix foot-perfect on fencing debutCavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory
10 May 2013
Telescope focus is on DanteBlinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests