Foxhunter heroine Frost gets the call on 'dangerous' Virak

Paul Nicholls has opted to swerve the Coral Scottish Grand National with Virak in the belief that the Llewellyn Humphreys Handicap Chase (3.50) could be a more suitable opportunity for the eight-year-old.

"He is probably better in a smaller field and this has cut up a bit," said Nicholls, after eight were declared for the 3m2f contest. "It will be a very competitive race up there and this looks an easier option. Bryony [Frost] rides him a bit at home and seven pounds off will help him. If he comes back to form he’ll be dangerous off his mark."

Recent Ffos Las scorer Upswing is likely to be the market leader in what is otherwise an extremely tight contest on paper.

Indian Stream won the Mares' Novice Chase on this card 12 months ago and must give 10lb and upward to all her rivals in the Listed Catesby Property Group PLC Mares' Handicap Hurdle (3.15).

Carnspindle comes here in search of a hat-trick and represents the in-form Warren Greatrex team.

"She won well at Exeter although that was a non-event and then the form has worked out OK from her last win," said Greatrex. "She is out of the handicap but [my son] Tom claiming seven pounds will put her back on the right side of that. She has been in really good form since Fontwell and with conditions fine for her she would have to be in with a good each-way chance."

Henry Daly is hoping that a greater emphasis on stamina will be key to the chances of Tara Mist.

"She will appreciate going back up to two and a half miles," said Daly. "Like an idiot I ran her over two and a bit at Exeter last time. I thought we’d get away with running her there and we didn’t. The ground shouldn’t be a problem and she will definitely appreciate going back up in trip."

Sprinter Sacre kicks off charity proceedings

Nick Skelton and Big Star on their way to Olympic gloryCredit: Mark Kolbe

It will be well worth staying around after the last at Cheltenham as there will be a unique parade of champions ahead of the inaugural Champions Willberry Charity Flat race, backed by Pertemps.

Dual Champion Chase hero Sprinter Sacre and Corky Browne, for a number of years an important member of Nicky Henderson’s operation, will be honoured in the parade, along with British heroes across three equestrian disciplines: 2012 Olympic dressage champion Valegro; 2016 Olympic individual showjumping gold medallist Big Star; and Chilli Morning, the only entire to win the Badminton Horse Trials and now a stallion at West Kingston Stud.

The line-up for the charity race – which will benefit the Bob Champion Cancer Trust and Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony charity – includes Sheikh Fahad, Alice Plunkett and Tina Cook.