Empire Of Dirt© Photo Healy Racing
Empire Of Dirt is among 44 horses standing their ground at the confirmation stage for the Crabbie's Topham Chase at Aintree on Friday.
The Colm Murphy-trained nine-year-old was victorious at Cheltenham in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase.
Willie Mullins is mob-handed, having left in Sir Des Champs, Blood Cotil, Turban, Ballycasey and Tennis Cap.
Village Vic is ante-post favourite, having enjoyed a fruitful winter, winning four races on the bounce, including the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham in December.
However, his successful streak came to an end at the Festival when he was a well-beaten ninth to Vautour when stepped up in class for the Ryanair Chase.
Others in a strong list include Paul Nicholls' Bouvreuil, Venetia Williams' Grand Sefton winner Bennys Mist, David Pipe's La Vaticane and the Nick Gifford-trained Fairy Rath, who was second in this race 12 months ago.
