Jonbon should be too hot to handle as Nicky Henderson's star targets a 12th Grade One victory in the Betfair Ascot Chase on Saturday.
The 10-year-old is unbeaten on three visits to the Berkshire circuit during his illustrious career, most recently when successfully defending his Clarence House Chase crown last month.
He faces a small yet classy field during this weekend's feature, which includes last year's winner Pic d'Orhy and the venerable Edwardstone, but the JP McManus-trained star is expected to boost his Cheltenham Festival claims without too much fuss on what is a rare venture beyond 3200m that ought to suit.
Tom Lacey's stable star Nocte Volatus is fancied to complete a hat-trick in the Betfair Swinley Handicap Chase.
The 11-year-old veteran has been in great form this season, winning his last two starts at Warwick and Sandown respectively and the 2lb rise will not inconvenience him too much.
In the absence of Thomas Mor, Joe Tizzard's Western Knight can land the Injured Jockeys Fund Ambassadors Programme Reynoldstown Novices' Chase.
Tizzard has won the race for two of the last three seasons so knows exactly what type it takes to win the Grade Two.
At Haydock, Kabral Du Mathan has been a revelation since joining Dan Skelton's yard and puts his unbeaten seasonal record to the test in the Zyn Rendlesham Hurdle.
Even when under Paul Nicholls' tutelage the six-year-old never finished outside of the top two, but he has reached new levels this campaign, winning a valuable handicap in Merseyside before landing the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.
Kabral Du Mathan will be in uncharted territory as he tackles 4800m for the first time, but it will take a smart performance to stop him going in again.
Ubatuba will be bouncing into the Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices' Hurdle following a stunning start to his hurdling career.
Olly Murphy's charge has blown away his opposition on his first two starts under rules, claiming 16- and 9.5-length successes at Leicester. This represents a big step up in class, but he is still unexposed and can progress even further.
Skelton will want to see Deafening Silence enhance his Aintree aspirations by securing the William Hill Half A Mill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase.
He hit the woodwork in the Rehearsal Chase and the Welsh Grand National, finishing second and third respectively, but did not disappoint in either contest and looks the pick.
Alexei can earn a Grade Two triumph for trainer Joe Tizzard when he lines up in the BetMGM Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.
The six-year-old has already landed the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle and has not finished outside of the top three on any of his four starts this season and if all goes to plan here he could be in the Champion Hurdle reckoning.
Bluey sets the standard in the BetMGM Agatha Christie Mares' Novices' Chase. Emma Lavelle's charge has two victories to her name and that winning experience could prove invaluable.
On the all-weather, 2024 Flying Scotsman Stakes winner Benevento is an intriguing runner in the Read Meg Nicholls' Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap at Lingfield.
At Newcastle, Aisling Oscar is aiming for a modern-day record of nine straight handicap victories in the Win £250,000 With BetMGM's Golden Goals Handicap.
Across the Irish Sea at Gowran Park, Impaire Et Passe should bounce back to land the Red Mills Chase for Willie Mullins, who has strong claims with Storm Heart in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle.
The Gordon Elliott-trained Bally Free is the pick for the Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle. - Press Association
SELECTIONS:
ASCOT: Race 1 - 15.15 Mondoui'boy, Race 2 - 15.50 Western Knight, Race 3 - 16.25 John Barbour, Race 4 - 17.00 Nocte Volatus, Race 5 - 17.35 JONBON (NAP), Race 6 - 18.10 Heart Over Head, Race 7 - 18.45 The Flaggy Shore.
GOWRAN PARK: Race 1 - 14.45 Madness d'Elle, Race 2 - 15.20 Storm Heart, Race 3 - 15.55 Bally Free, Race 4 - 16.30 Themanintheanorak, Race 5 - 17.05 Luciole Des Bordes, Race 6 - 17.40 Impaire Et Passe, Race 7 - 18.15 Champagne Jury, Race 8 - 18.50 Happy Dreams.
HAYDOCK: Race 1 - 14.55 Macktoad, Race 2 - 15.28 The Bluesman, Race 3 - 16.05 Kabral Du Mathan, Race 4 - 16.40 Ubatuba, Race 5 - 17.15 Deafening Silence, Race 6 - 17.50 Chart Topper, Race 7 - 18.30 Shearer.
LINGFIELD: Race 1 - 14.50 Bownder, Race 2 - 15.25 Into The Light, Race 3 - 16.00 Thecoffeepoddotco, Race 4 - 16.35 Way To Dubai, Race 5 - 17.10 Benevento, Race 6 - 17.45 Who's On First, Race 7 - 18.20 Combustion.
NEWCASTLE: Race 1 - 18.25 Forest Caper, Race 2 - 18.55 Spartan Fighter, Race 3 - 19.25 Peregrine Falcon, Race 4 - 19.55 Aisling Oscar, Race 5 - 20.25 Rogue Rebellion, Race 6 - 20.55 Brazilian Rose, Race 7 - 21.25 Archangel Josepi.
WINCANTON: Race 1 - 14.35 At The Oche, Race 2 - 15.05 Bluey, Race 3 - 15.35 Alexei, Race 4 - 16.11 Marhaba Prince, Race 5 - 16.50 Saint Cyr De Pail, Race 6 - 17.23 Royal Mer, Race 7 - 18.00 Camulus, Race 8 - 18.37 Call Me A Legend.