Dual Champion Hurdle winner at the Cheltenham Festival Buveur D'Air is the headline name in the 24 currently entered for the BetVictor Fighting Fifth At Newcastle in December.
The Nicky Henderson trained seven year old took this race last year of his seasonal reappearance and will be hoping to do the same if officially declared come the raceday.
He is one of four hopeful runners for the Seven Barrows trainer who could also add Elite Hurdle winner at the weekend Verdana Blue, subsequent third in that race We Have A Dream and the J P McManus owned Charlie Parcs.
Other headline entries at this stage that could feature in the race are Samcro and Apple's Jade for Gigginstown and Gordon Elliot with the mare previously ridden in this contest back in 2016 where she finished a narrow second to Irving.
Bedrock, Who beat Samcro last time out to ruin his unbeaten record over hurdles when staying on his feet, could be in the race at Gosforth Park.
(Credit At The Races) Trainer Ian Jardine said: “We were delighted with Bedrock’s win at Down Royal and he is very much a horse on the up.
“We may well bump into Nicky Henderson’s Champion Hurdle winner in the Fighting Fifth but we have beaten one hot-pot in Samcro.
“We go to Newcastle excited for our new American owners and hope to give Buveur D’Air a tough time.”
Others names that are in the hat at the moment are last seasons Supreme Novices Hurdle winner Summerville Boy for trainer Tom George, Silver Streak trained by Evan Williams who won the Welsh Champion Hurdle and Dan Skelton's Mohaayed.