Weekend previews:Kauto Star is confidently expected to book his Gold Cup ticket by landing the Aon Chase at Newbury today. The Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old has earned the plaudits for some breathtaking displays already this season and will surely prove at least one notch too smart for this opposition.
In the King George on St Stephen's Day, Kauto Starshot away from his rivals to confirm he has plenty more to offer than the cruise control seen previously.
While he will start at a prohibitively short price for many, backing against him notching a fifth successive win seems folly.
With the Aon expected to prove something of a cakewalk for the favourite, punters can look forward to what is likely to be a more competitive renewal of the totepool Game Spirit Chase.
Voy Por Ustedes has done little wrong since winning the Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham last March but the suspicion remains he could be vulnerable to a real top-drawer animal.
There was no disgrace in finding Kauto Star too good on his reappearance at Sandown but he may again have to settle for silver with Ashley Brookin opposition this time.
Kevin Bishop's charge has been plagued by injury problems but is still young enough to make the impression his ability deserves.
He made a brilliant return to action over hurdles at Cheltenham, and while he needed to win in style off a lenient mark to justify support here, he absolutely blew in on that occasion.
Improvement can be expected on his return to fences and it is worth remembering he slammed subsequent Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition by 16 lengths at Aintree in 2005.
Acamborightly finds himself at the head of the market for the totesport Trophy after landing The Ladbroke in the style of a smart performer last time.
He must go close once again but defying top weight of 11st 12lb in what is always a competitive handicap will prove very difficult - especially with the likes of New Field able to race off a more attractive mark.
The Tom Mullins-trained nine-year-old ran a smashing race when third in the ultra-competitive Pierse Hurdle last time and looks certain to lay down a serious challenge to David Pipe's charge.
Opera Mundiis another on course for the Cheltenham Festival and he can secure an across-the-card double for Nicholls at Warwick.
After winning at Newbury on his debut last November, he returned to the Berkshire track when stepping back in trip to lift a trappy event over two miles and a furlong.
Opera Mundi produced a stout staying performance that day and stamina is likely to come into play in the totesport.com Kingmaker Novices' Chase given the forecast rain. Nicholls charge should win this en route to one of the big Cheltenham novice contests.
Mightywill take some stopping in his search of a hat-trick in the Pontin's Holidays Handicap at Lingfield. Jane Chapple Hyam's four-year-old was a ready scorer over course and distance on his handicap debut last time and looks weighted to go in again.
Melvinolooks the best bet at Wolverhampton.
