Legendary stayer Big Buck's features among 19 entries for the BGC Partner Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree on Thursday.
The Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old became the first horse in history to win the World Hurdle on three successive occasions at last month's Cheltenham Festival and he now bids for a hat-trick in this Grade One event.
World Hurdle runner-up Grands Crus looks his most obvious danger on Merseyside, while Gordon Elliott's Coral Cup winner Carlito Brigante is set to step up in class.
Nicky Henderson has a strong hand with Champion Hurdle third Oscar Whisky joined by stablemates Carole's Legacy, Sentry Duty and Zaynar.
Knockara Beau, Karabak and Oscar Dan Dan are other possible runners.
