Mr Mole is the ante-post gamble for the Imperial Cup but connections of Tominator are hopeful.
Jonjo O'Neill is keeping his fingers crossed Tominator's jumping stands up to the test as he aims to secure his first major prize over obstacles in the £70,000 Paddy Power Imperial Cup at Sandown.
Winner of the 2011 Northumberland Plate at Newcastle when trained by Reg Hollinshead, the six-year-old made an excellent start to life with O'Neill by finishing third in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket in October.
Although he has won twice from three starts over hurdles since, his jumping has not been foot-perfect and O'Neill is hoping the grey can continue to improve in that department.
"He's in good old form and has schooled well since his last run, so we'll see how we get on," said the Jackdaws Castle handler.
"We all know he's been a bit novicey, but he jumped a bit better on his last run and these are the races he's capable of running in.
"If he can get into a bit of a rhythm early on and things went right for him, hopefully he'll run a nice race."
Although a valuable contest in its own right, an enduring appeal of Saturday's race is the additional £75,000 on offer from the sponsors should the winner follow up in any race at the Festival next week.
Tominator does hold entries in the Coral Cup, the County Hurdle and the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Hurdle at Prestbury Park, but O'Neill is refusing to look beyond his weekend assignment.
"I'd love the money, but he wouldn't even get in at Cheltenham at the moment, so there's no point in thinking about it. Let's see how he goes this weekend first," he said.
The talking horse leading up to the Imperial Cup has been Mr Mole, representing champion trainer Paul Nicholls and champion jockey Tony McCoy.
Carrying the colours of JP McManus, the five-year-old was a ready winner on heavy ground at Taunton last month and beat subsequent Grade One winner Melodic Rendezvous in October.
Mr Mole holds an entry in next week's County Hurdle.
Nicholls said: "He is in good order - the more it rains between now and Saturday the better as he loves soft ground and we are really looking forward to running him."
McCoy said: "I questioned his resolution a bit at Wincanton (when second), but he was better at Taunton.
"It'll be a big field and a competitive handicap, so he'll need to be on his A-game."
Emma Lavelle retains faith in Claret Cloak, who was ultimately well beaten behind My Tent Or Yours in last month's Betfair Hurdle.
Lavelle said: "He's certainly got a race like this in him, I'm sure of that.
"We've left him in the County Hurdle because were he to win this weekend and he didn't have an option at Cheltenham to chase the bonus, we'd never forgive ourselves.
"If he wins, we'd probably have a go."
David Pipe sent out Gaspara to land the Imperial-Fred Winter double in 2007 and this year's representatives are Kazlian and top-weight Tanerko Emery.
Owner Dai Walters said of the latter, who has three Cheltenham entries: "He's carrying top weight (11st 12lb) but he's improved and I think he should run quite well.
"If he were to run well, I would definitely be thinking about Cheltenham and if he wins on Saturday, there is a bonus and you'd have to go for it."
Last year's winner Paintball is only 1lb higher in the weights than 12 months ago following a disappointing run of form.
Trainer Charlie Longsdon said: "He's had another wind operation and we just have to hope it has done the trick.
"Obviously, if he comes back to the form of a year ago, he has a great chance. We'll just have to keep our fingers crossed."
The only Irish representative in the extended two-mile contest is the Charles Byrnes-trained Arnaud, with champion jockey Davy Russell travelling over for the ride.
Byrnes said: "I hope he'll run well, but I am a bit worried about the ground.
"We came over for better ground. I've had a walk round the track and while it's not too bad at the moment, it wouldn't take much rain to turn it soft and there is a lot of rain forecast."
Nicky Henderson's General Miller is well handicapped on his best form.
His owner, Henry Ponsonby, said: "I would have thought he would have a massive chance, but the rain is a worry.
"This race has been the plan for some months, but ideally we would have liked good ground."
