Seebald will be Martin Pipe's only runner in the Sunderlands Imperial Cup at Sandown tomorrow after the champion trainer withdrew his five other entries at this morning's final declaration stage.
But the five-year-old, who is the least experienced of the 18 runners having had just two races both of he which he has won, will head the handicap on 11st 10lb as the weights have gone up 5lb.
Should Seebald collect tomorrow's £33,000 Showcase Handicap and any race at the Cheltenham Festival next week he will pick up a £50,000 bonus put up by the sponsors.
Sunderlands and the Tote were the only bookmakers to bet on the race when the weights were published on Tuesday and both made Seebald favourite at 7-2.
Pipe has already netted a bonus prize for his patrons twice, having sent out Olympian to win the Imperial Cup and the Coral Cup in 1993 and Blowing Wind to follow up his Sandown success in the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle two years ago.
Seebald holds entries in next Tuesday's Capel Cure Sharp Supreme Novices' Hurdle and the County Hurdle next Thursday.
Other Imperial Cup runners with eyes on the bonus are Mersey Beat, Minivet, Coulthard, Redemption, The Gatherer, Dhaudeloup, Majesty, Galapino and Magic Combination.
Pipe's withdrawals from tomorrow's Sandown feature were Hit And Run, Auetaler, Copeland, Dr Jazz and Exit Swinger. Others taken out from an original entry of 29 were Red Blazer, Premier Generation, Out On A Promise, Heart, Eponine and Ferrers
