Warren Greatrex broke his Festival duck in 2015 when Cole Harden won what is now the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle. The Upper Lambourn trainer is set to be represented in the same race this year by Emitom, who was the impressive eight-length winner of the G2 Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock Park on 15 February.

Greatrex said: “Emitom has come out of Haydock well. He is all good and back on track. I doubt he can beat Paisley Park, but we will give it our best shot. He has only disappointed us once and that was down to my error rather than his. He is only a six-year-old and I think there is plenty more to come.

“La Bague Au Roi is in the Ultima Handicap Chase and the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate. We will see nearer the time but, having seen the weights, she is off 11st 2lb and that could be quite appealing. She has never run in a handicap and is probably ready to have a go in one.

“Bob Mahler will go for the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase. He won the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh last time and is improving all the time. We won this race a few years ago with Missed Approach and he would have the same sort of profile.

“Portrush Ted will run in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle or the Coral Cup and Encore Champs will go for the Northern Trust Company Novices’ Handicap Chase.”