Only nine horses have stood their ground for Saturday's #100,000 De Vere Gold Cup at today's confirmation stage.
But officials at Haydock are hopeful that the prize will still attract a top-class field.
Last year's winner Young Kenny heads the handicap on 11st 10lb for the contest with recently-retired Teeton Mill, the original top-weight, one of 33 defectors from the initial entry of 42.
Peter Beaumont's charge, winner of the Singer & Friedlander National Trial at Uttoxeter earlier this month, is due to be reunited with Brendan Powell and could be joined by stablemate Niki Dee.
Clerk of the course Lisa Rowe said today: "There are only nine but they are nine good ones.
"I spoke to Mr Beaumont on Saturday and he said that Young Kenny would definitely line up and if the ground was OK then he could run Niki Dee.
"I'd be hopeful that the majority would stand their ground and if we end up with seven or eight it should be a nice race.
"We've got three of the big National hopes so you can't be unhappy."
The Last Fling, winner of the Edward Hanmer Chase and Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock already this season, has already been named as a likely runner.
And Malcolm Jefferson is keen to run Tullymurry Toff, third beaten 12{ lengths by Young Kenny at Uttoxeter, who will be meeting the top weight on 7lb better terms.
Jefferson said: "He's in good order. I thought he ran a great race at Uttoxeter _ the ground was sticky enough for him with 11st 10lb on his back, I think he's better on looser ground.
"He'll be a little bit better off with Young Kenny and it would be a nice race to win but there'll be a lot of other people thinking the same won't there!"
There was further good news for Rowe after trainer Tony Martin named Hollybank Buck, winner of the Tote Eider Chase at Haydock last season, as a probable runner.
The Irish trainer said: "Hollybank Buck is in good form and Francis Flood will have the mount. He has won five times on him."
However, Fiddling The Facts, second to Young Kenny in this race last season, is not a certain runner in the extended three-and-a-half mile event.
Trainer Nicky Henderson explained: "We'll have a look at the race and wait and see what's going to run."
The going at the Merseyside track is currently reported to be on the testing side.
"The ground is soft, heavy in places, it's dry at the moment and the forecast is a bit changeable _ sunshine and showers," Rowe added.
