'I'm surprised Bravemansgame is favourite - I wouldn't swap L'Homme Presse'

Jockey Charlie Deutsch is surprised to see bookmakers price up Bravemansgame as favourite over his mount L'Homme Presse in Friday's Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase (2.55) as he relishes a massive showdown at Aintree on Friday.

The pair make up half the field in the Grade 1 prize following the declaration stage on Wednesday, with fellow Grade 1 winners Ahoy Senor and Fury Road also in the line-up.

The highly anticipated clash between Britain's leading three-mile novice chasers was set to take place at the Cheltenham Festival, but Bravemansgame was taken out of the Brown Advisory moments before the race because of the testing ground.

In his absence, the Venetia Williams-trained L'Homme Presse produced a breathtaking jumping display to win by three and a half lengths under Deutsch from Ahoy Senor.

Connections plan to walk the course before racing on Friday to ensure conditions, which on Wednesday were good, good to soft in places on the Mildmay course, are suitable for L'Homme Presse to take part.

Bet365 make Bravemansgame a 6-5 favourite, with L'Homme Presse 13-8, but on the form of his Cheltenham win, Deutsch believes his mount is the one to beat.

He said: "There aren't many runners but any of them could win. It's competitive. I think the ground should be fine and if he's all well then there will be no excuses.

"I'm sure Bravemansgame will go forward then we'd go two-by-two and at least it'd be fairly straightforward with only four runners in there. Then it's a case of the best horse will win.

"I wouldn't swap my lad. I was surprised Bravemansgame was favourite, he hasn't won a Brown Advisory. It's going to be a big day, you're always going to look forward to the days when he runs and it's what you do it for. I hope we can get the job done."

The two ante-post favourites in the Cavani Menswear Sefton Novices' Hurdle (4.40), Minella Crooner and Walking On Air, were not among the 14 declared runners.

Minella Crooner was a 11-4 chance following his good second at the Dublin Racing Festival while Good Risk At All, who was around a 6-1 chance, also misses the race but has two entries for Saturday.

Skytastic: declared for the Sefton Novices' HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

His trainer Sam Thomas will still be represented by Skytastic, now a 5-1 second favourite, but Martin Pipe winner Banbridge heads the betting at 7-2. Gelino Bello and Crystal Glory are also due to run.

The Randox Topham Handicap Chase (4.05) was decided as the target for Royal Rendezvous, with Willie Mullins opting to let the 161-rated runner top the weights rather than tackle Grade 1 company.

Royal Rendezvous and Sizing Pottsie were the only two removed from the Marsh Chase (3.30), in which a talented cast includes Fakir D'Oudairies, Sceau Royal and Funambule Sivola.

Harry Cobden will ride Saint Calvados with his Paul Nicholls-trained stablemate Hitman set to be partnered by Bryony Frost.

Supreme Novices' Hurdle runner-up Jonbon heads nine declarations for the Betway Top Novices' Hurdle (2.20) with Aidan Coleman set to maintain the partnership. The Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old, who chased home stablemate Constitution Hill at Cheltenham, had the option of going up in trip the following day but instead will clash with unexposed Irish challengers Vina Ardanza and El Fabiolo.

Henderson also fields First Street, who has been solid in leading handicaps, finishing third in the Betfair Hurdle and second to State Man in the County.