Inglis Drever heads the list of 33 entries still set to compete in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on 13 March.
Howard Johnson's charge, the 2005 and 2007 champion, is vying to become the first three-time winner of the race.
Henrietta Knight's Racing Demon was one of eight drop-outs on Wednesday, but he is still entered in the Ryanair Chase.
Blue Shark, Faasel, Gaspara, Gone To Lunch, Raslan, Ringaroses and Turko are the others who will not line up.
Among Inglis Drever's potential rivals are Blazing Bailey, Wichita Lineman, Afsoun and Redemption.
The 2006 winner My Way De Solzen, who has been running over fences this season, and dual Champion Hurdle victor Hardy Eustace are also still entered.
French trainer Francois Doumen, who won the 2002 and 2003 races with Baracouda, has two entries in Kasbah Bliss (who was fifth last year) and Millenium Royal.
Doumen also confirmed France's 15-time champion jockey Christophe Pieux will ride one of his runners with Pieux getting his first Festival ride.
"Normally when it comes to Cheltenham in March, we are looking at the ground which is good as opposed to soft, which would suit Kasbah Bliss down to the ground," said Doumen.
"He really doesn't like soft ground at all and is the highest rated hurdler in France at the moment.
"If the ground is soft then we could run Millenium Royal in the World Hurdle.
"In terms of ability, there is not much between Kasbah Bliss and Millenium Royal, and the ground at the Festival will decide which one we run in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.
The Big G
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