Dan Skelton's decision to bypass Cheltenham in favour of Kelso with Grey Dawning can pay dividends in the bet365 Premier Chase on Saturday.
Having looked all over a potential Gold Cup horse last season, he appeared to confirm that impression when beaten just 2 lengths by Haydock specialist Royale Pagaille on his return in the Betfair Chase in November.
The deep ground that day certainly favoured the winner, with Skelton expecting plenty of progression for the run, as Grey Dawning ran out of petrol after a tired jump at the last.
Grey Dawning then made a slightly surprise appearance in the King George, just over a month after that gruelling run, but his challenge did not really get any further than the first fence, as a bad mistake put him on the back foot and he was pulled up with two still to jump.
Given a lengthy recovery after that disappointment, Grey Dawning is vastly favoured by the conditions of this race and as long as the going does not quicken too much, he is the one to beat.
Vanderpoel can make the leap to Grade Two company in the bet365 Premier Novices' Hurdle.
Winner of a Boulta point-to-point in November, he was then snapped up for £90,000 and has since gone on to triumph twice for trainer Ben Pauling.
His stable bow yielded a one-length verdict at Huntingdon, with that form looking strong as the second, third and fifth-placed runners have all won subsequently, while Vanderpoel then bolted up by 8 lengths under a penalty.
That looked a straightforward assignment but Vanderpoel was impressive enough and looks worthy of a test like this.
Favour And Fortune was up against it with Joyeuse at Newbury last time, giving away over a stone to a really progressive type when beaten just over 11 lengths in fourth in the Betfair Hurdle.
Given that was just his second start of the season on ground that was slower than ideal, Favour And Fortune might yet be able to defy top weight in the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle.
Some Scope can improve one place on last year in the Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at Doncaster.
Only two finished 12 months ago and he was just outstayed on soft ground by Does He Know on what was his first crack at 5200m.
Winner of the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby over Christmas, Some Scope subsequently failed to fire at Cheltenham but back on a sound surface and only 2lb higher than last year, he can scoop Doncaster honours.
World Of Fortunes was outclassed in Grade One company last time but back up to 4800m and dropped to Listed level, the Livescore Bet Mares' Novices' Hurdle is an ideal opportunity.
Billytherealbigred can enhance his already impressive statistics over fences in the BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury.
He won on his novice chase starts at Bangor in October and Exeter in December before finding only his stablemate Jagwar too good at Cheltenham.
The five-year-old remains handily weighted in what is a competitive event. - Press Association
SELECTIONS
DONCASTER: Race 1 - 15.30 Queensbury Boy, Race 2 - 16.05 World Of Fortunes, Race 3 - 16.40 Brookie, Race 4 - 17.15 Some Scope, Race 5 - 17.55 Cloud Dancer, Race 6 - 18.31 St Just In Time, Race 7 - 19.07 Denzil.
KELSO: Race 1 - 15.10 Helnwein, Race 2 - 15.45 GREY DAWNING (NAP), Race 3 - 16.20 Bold Light, Race 4 - 16.55 Vanderpoel, Race 5 - 17.30 Favour And Fortune, Race 6 - 18.04 Elforleather, Race 7 - 18.39 Hashtag Boum.
NAVAN: Race 1 - 15.00 Needs Must, Race 2 - 15.35 Magic Day, Race 3 - 16.10 Phils Choice, Race 4 - 16.45 Bossofthebrownies, Race 5 - 17.20 Champ Kiely, Race 6 - 17.50 Grangeclare West, Race 7 - 18.20 Noble Talent, Race 8 - 18.55 Lilian Bland.
NEWBURY: Race 1 - 15.20 Gustavian, Race 2 - 15.55 Nap Hand, Race 3 - 16.30 Superbolt, Race 4 - 17.05 Sorceleur, Race 5 - 17.45 Billytherealbigred, Race 6 - 18.15 Solar System, Race 7 - 18.50 Ace Artist.
NEWCASTLE: Race 1 - 18.10 Carrados, Race 2 - 18.45 Last Shamardal, Race 3 - 19.15 Yokohama, Race 4 - 19.45 Dash Gordon, Race 5 - 20.15 Jems Bond, Race 6 - 20.45 Lumenbourg, Race 7 - 21.15 L'Ennemi.
SOUTHWELL: Race 1 - 18.25 Moulin Booj, Race 2 - 19.00 Moel Arthur, Race 3 - 19.30 Therapist, Race 4 - 20.00 Prepare To Strike, Race 5 - 20.30 Match Anthem, Race 6 - 21.00 Sam's Hope, Race 7 - 21.30 Dash Power, Race 8 - 22.00 Massimo Blue, Race 9 - 22.30 Ustath.