Direct Route will face four rivals when he attempts to land the Mumm Melling Chase for a second time to complete an Aintree hat-trick tomorrow.
Howard Johnson's charge, who beat Mulligan by a neck in the Grade One contest last season, won a novice chase at the meeting in 1998.
He was beaten a short head following a titanic battle with Edredon Bleu in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month.
Flagship Uberalles, beaten six lengths into third when favourite for the Champion Chase, appears to be Direct Route's main rival, having beaten the gelding at Exeter and Sandown earlier in the season.
The field is completed by Flying Instructor, Majadou and Makounji.
A field of 24 horses has been declared for the John Hughes Trophy Chase over two and three quarter miles of the Martell Grand National course.
They include Forestal, Even Flow, Ryhane and Back Bar who were among the five-day declarations for the National itself on Monday.
Best Mate, a close second to Sausalito Bay in the Capel Cure Sharp Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, will attempt to go one better in the opening Martell Mersey Novices' Hurdle.
While Coral Cup winner What's Up Boys steps up in class in the Grade One Belle Epoque Novices' Hurdle over an extended three miles.
