Those that keep the faith with Famous Bridge can be rewarded in the Virgin Bet Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Haydock on Saturday.
Nicky Richards' charge threw in a rare disappointing effort when pulled up in last month's Great Yorkshire Chase, in which he was sent off one of the market leaders.
After a slow start, he made a mistake at the third fence and just never really got going again, with jockey Sean Quinlan calling time a fair way from home on the quickest ground he has encountered this term.
Famous Bridge is better judged on his two previous Haydock wins, in a competitive November handicap chase and then in the Tommy Whittle, with both victories coming in testing conditions similar to those he faces this weekend.
He had to tough it out in both finishes, with that kind of attitude a positive as he steps up to an extended 5600m now.
Salver is another who can thrive on the deep going in the Virgin Bet Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle.
He has won each of his three starts since joining Gary Moore, culminating in a 21-length stroll in the Finale at Chepstow over the Christmas period.
His task was eased by the ground-enforced absence of Burdett Road, but his jumping was faultless and he loves soft ground.
You Wear It Well is the class act in the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Mares' Hurdle and even with a penalty for her Wetherby Listed win back in November she is well ahead on the ratings.
Butch can graduate from handicap company in the Virgin Bet Rendlesham Hurdle, while Isaac Des Obeaux is the pick in the Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices' Hurdle after finding Gidleigh Park too good on his latest Cheltenham run.
Grade One glory is on offer in the Betfair Ascot Chase and L'Homme Presse really should be winning in Berkshire if he is to be a credible Gold Cup challenger to Galopin Des Champs.
He made a perfect return from a year on the sidelines with victory at Lingfield last month, making use of a 4lb pull to comfortably account for Protektorat and show his ability is undimmed.
This 4200m trip will be the shortest distance he has tackled for a while, but he was a Grade One winner over 4000m as a novice, so certainly does not lack for toe.
Kilbeg King was firmly put in his place by Il Est Francais on Boxing Day, beaten 14.5-lengths in third after trying to stay with the budding superstar through the early exchanges.
There does not appear to be a horse of his stature in the Sodexho Live! Reynoldstown Novices' Chase though, so Kilbeg King has every chance in what looks a competitive event.
Threeunderthrufive can finally get off the mark for the campaign in the Injured Jockeys Fund Ambassadors Programme Swinley Handicap Chase after two cracking second-placed runs this term.
His fellow Paul Nicholls-trained inmate Rubaud should find Wincanton's Jennings Bet Kingwell Hurdle a more suitable test after being brushed aside by both Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth on his last two runs. - Press Association
SELECTIONS:
ASCOT: 15.15 Juventus De Brion, 15.50 Kilbeg King, 16.25 Monviel, 17.00 Threeunderthrufive, 17.36 L'Homme Presse, 18.10 Havaila, 18.45 Anno Power.
GOWRAN: 15.42 Pinot Gris, 16.17 Lantry Lady, 16.52 Luminous Light, 17.27 Saint Sam, 18.02 Spanish Harlem, 18.35 Bushmans Pass, 19.05 Cathedral Rocks.
HAYDOCK: 15.02 You Wear It Well, 15.37 Good Work, 16.10 Salver, 16.40 Butch, 17.15 FAMOUS BRIDGE (NAP), 17.50 Yes Day, 18.25 Isaac Des Obeaux, 18.55 Captain Biggles.
NEWCASTLE: 17.57 Desert Quest, 18.30 Redondo, 19.00 Miss Alpilles, 19.30 Smoky Mountain, 20.00 Oliver Show, 20.30 Hurt You Never, 21.00 Rich Waters, 21.30 Eleven Eleven.
WINCANTON: 15.30 Highlands Legacy, 16.05 Rubaud, 16.35 Hatos, 17.07 Moorland Rambler, 17.42 The Bold Thady, 18.17 Captain Claude, 18.50 Zonda.
WOLVERHAMPTON: 18.40 Bradman, 19.15 Blue Collar Lad, 19.45 Romanovich, 20.15 Calcutta Dream, 20.45 Tatateo, 21.15 Vaguely Royal, 21.45 Trip To Rome, 22.15 Soi Dao.