2002 RESULT 1 Cyfor Malta 16-1 2 Poliantas 25-1 3 Wave Rock 16-1 Full report

Pipe's horse heads the weights, on 11st 12lb, alongside stablemate Seebald for the contest on 15 November.

Cyfor Malta won the race under 11st 9lb in 2002, having also claimed the prize four years earlier, and is 2lb worse off with last year's runner-up Poliantas (11st).

And at a stable open day, Pipe said: "Cyfor Malta is in cracking form, I'm expecting him to run a big race."

The race bears a new sponsor, having previously enjoyed a variety of backers, including Thomas Pink and Murphys.

Paddy Power have installed a third Pipe runner, It Takes Time, as 7-2 favourite for the contest, which is the biggest steeplechase of the National Hunt season so far.

But owner David Johnson has labelled that price "mad" and it appears champion jockey Tony McCoy could still choose Cyfor Malta ahead of It Takes Time.

"AP (McCoy) came down and schooled Cyfor Malta the other day and we'll have to see which one he wants to ride," said Pipe.

The Somerset trainer has also declared Tarxien (10st 11lb), Wahiba Sands (10st 8lb), Horus (10st) and Montreal (9st 7lb), although not all are likely to run.

Millionaire Irish owner JP McManus has five entries.

We're very pleased with Master Tern Frank Berry, Racing manager to JP McManus

But he seems most likely to run Master Tern (10st 2lb), winner of a handicap chase at Aintree in April, and Risk Assessor (9st 11lb).

Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus, said of Master Tern: "He's in good form and looks well."

Other contenders include Fondmort (10st 13lb), winner of the Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham last year for Nicky Henderson and the Henry Daly-trained Young Spartacus, winner of the Mildmay Of Flete after 14 months off the track.