King puts faith in Vov Por's blinkers

He was only two lengths behind Imperial Commander 12 months ago and has a terrific Festival record having won an Arkle and Queen Mother Champion Chase.

The nine-year-old – owned by Yorkshire racing benefactor Sir Robert Ogden – has not been in that sort of form this season, but King believes he has valid excuses as he heads into the Ryanair Chase today.

"He's back at Cheltenham, this is his ideal trip and I'm hoping the rain doesn't come until later on tomorrow," said the Barbury Castle handler. "He is blinkered for the first time and it just might sharpen him up a little bit as well.

"He's had excuses this season, it was two miles last time, three miles on soft ground in Ireland and the race (Lexus) had been held over for a day but if you go back to his first run of the season, although he didn't jump well, it was actually a very good performance at the weights.

"Let's hope we can get him back to somewhere near his best. I'd love to see him run well and when you consider he was odds-on for this just 12 months ago he looks a good price."

Poquelin and Tranquil Sea head a fascinating 13-strong field for the Chase.

The latter ran out a facile winner when the pair clashed in the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November, but Poquelin subsequently won the Boylesports.com Gold Cup in impressive style.

Last year's third-placed horse, Schindlers Hunt, is also back for more, with Dessie Hughes believing the horse has improved, despite being a 10-year-old.

He went close in the race last year and was also just touched off at Aintree on his favoured good ground.

"The ground is perfect for him and his runs have been good this year so we are hopeful," said Hughes. "It looks like we'll just escape the rain which will be nice.

"Possibly he's improved this year because he's even been running well through the winter on ground he hates. He didn't run as well on heavy ground last year, it wasn't until he got to Cheltenham and Liverpool that he showed his form.

"If he has improved at all he has to be bang there."

Nicky Henderson has a strong hand with the Queen-owned Barbers Shop, Petit Robin and Jack The Giant, the mount of Malton's in-form Andrew Tinkler, to call upon.