Josses Hill (right) winning at Aintree© Photo Healy Racing
It probably says something about the regard in which Josses Hill is held at Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows yard that he makes his chasing debut in the Mitie Novices' Chase at Ascot on Friday.
Henderson chose the Grade Two contest, registered as the Noel Novices' Chase, as the starting point for Simonsig's chasing career two years ago.
The grey went on to win the Arkle, and given Josses Hill was placed behind the seemingly impregnable Vautour in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in March, a similar path looks likely.
It is a tough starting point for the six-year-old, though, against Philip Hobbs' Dunraven Storm, second in a Grade One chase already, and the Paul Nicholls-trained Ptit Zig, winner of both of his novice chases to date in a very pleasing manner.
The lucky man who gets to ride Josses Hill is Barry Geraghty and he has been looking forward to this day for some time.
"He's been schooling really nicely these past few weeks," said Geraghty.
"He always looked like a chaser, even when he was winning nice races over hurdles, so we hope that's the case.
"I hadn't realised this was the race Simonsig started off in but it is difficult to find races for horses who were highly rated over hurdles.
"Ascot is a lovely place to start a novice I always think, with the fences uphill they are presented really nicely and they're inviting to jump.
"It's a real race mind, he won't have it easy, we're looking for him to learn plenty."
Ptit Zig's part-owner Barry Fulton admitted to feeling slightly nervous about stepping his five-year-old up in grade after two easy wins.
"He seems very well and has had a nice couple of pipe-openers now, so we'll see what we can do on Friday," said Fulton.
"There's always a bit if trepidation with these things, but I suppose that's the excitement of it all.
"Hopefully he jumps well and we'll see what happens."
Dunraven Storm must concede weight all round following victories at Exeter and Cheltenham before his recent second to Vibrato Valtat in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown.
Hobbs said: "T he trip of two miles and three furlongs should be in his favour, while he's already shown a liking for Ascot and is a past winner there.
"We are up against Josses Hill, but my horse seems in very good form."
Barry Brennan's Formal Bid and Traffic Fluide from Gary Moore's yard complete the five-runner field.
