Saturday's Mitsubishi Shogun Ascot Chase is set for another small field after just five horses were confirmed for the race today.
There were 12 withdrawals at the five-day stage from the Grade One contest, which has attracted a total of just 25 runners in five renewals since it was made a level-weights event 1995.
Venetia Williams took The Outback Way and the retired Teeton Mill - last year's winner - out of the 19½furlong race, relying solely on Nordance Prince who landed the Victor Chandler Handicap Chase on his last visit to Ascot.
Paul Nicholls has decided against giving last Saturday's Game Spirit Chase winner Flagship Uberalles a quick reappearance, declaring Rockforce in his place today.
The Chris Kinane-trained Strong Promise could bid to repeat his victory of 1997, when the race was known as the Comet Chase.
Also confirmed today were Celibate (trained by Charlie Mann) and Wakeel (Mark Pitman).
