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Mr Mole, Tony McCoy's intended mount in the race named in his honour for his last day in the saddle at Sandown on Saturday, will face a maximum of 13 rivals.

The bet365 A P McCoy Celebration Chase has attracted a stellar field, with star billing going to the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding.

Mr Mole would be a fitting winner because McCoy announced his retirement after partnering the seven-year-old, owned by his boss JP McManus, to victory at Newbury in February.

Mr Mole was only eighth in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham won by stablemate Dodging Bullets, but Nicholls is happy with his condition.

"Mr Mole remains in good form since Cheltenham and won well at the track earlier in the season. I might also run Vibrato Valtat in the same race," the Ditcheat handler told www.paulnicholls.com.

Sire De Grugy, winner of this race for the last two years and the Champion Chase in 2014, could take his chance, as could another former champion in Sprinter Sacre.

Somersby, second to Dodging Bullets at Cheltenham, is set to taken his chance for the Mick Channon team. He will be ridden by Brian Hughes, who believes Somersby's form cannot be faulted.

"They say he's in good form. He's come out of his Cheltenham race really well," the jockey told At The Races.

"His form has been solid all season. He's been second to Dodging Bullets twice and Al Ferof once.

"Obviously Mr Mole and Sprinter Sacre, if they line up, have to bounce back after their runs at Cheltenham. I'm looking forward to it."

Henry de Bromhead's Special Tiara, who was third in the Champion Chase, and Gordon Elliott's smart novice Clarcam are the two Irish-trained entries

Completing the list are Court Minstrel, Desert Cry, God's Own, My Brother Sylvest, Next Sensation, Pepite Rose and Sew On Target.

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