Promising novice Monsignor faces just five opponents in the Sun 'King Of The Punters' Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown Park tomorrow.
Mark Pitman will hoping for a boost from his exciting prospect in the Grade One contest following the removal from his yard on Thursday of 17 horses owned by Robert Hitchins.
Monsignor has won both his starts over timber in good style and is sure to go off a short-priced favourite for the two-mile test.
French trainer Francois Doumen bids for the £27,500 event with four-year-old filly Snow Drop, who has won her two hurdle races on heavy ground.
Henrietta Knight runs her unbeaten five-year-old Best Mate, who created a favourable impression when winning over tomorrow's course and distance last month.
Grief represents David Elsworth and this improving performer goes into the race having completed a three-timer in a Folkestone handicap under top-weight of 12st 2lb on Monday.
In-form trainer Philip Hobbs runs recent Uttoxeter scorer Doctor Goddard.
And the field is made up by the Ferdy Murphy-trained Ballinclay King, who will be bidding to emulate his illustrious, but ill-fated, stable companion French Holly, winner of this race two years ago.
The only surprise withdrawal was Ask The Natives. A spokeswoman for Paul Nicholls said the six-year-old was fine and that the trainer had no immediate plans for the progressive gelding.
