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Aubusson takes a drop in class for an informative-looking Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon on Friday.
An easy winner of the valuable "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle at Haydock earlier in the season, he finished third behind stablemate Reve De Sivola in the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot last time out.
Aubusson is trained by Nick Williams and owned by his wife and assistant, Jane, who said: "I don't think he was quite at his best at Ascot, he's quite a fragile horse and is difficult to keep right.
"Unfortunately, he's caught between the two stools now in that he'll have top weight in handicaps but isn't quite up to races like the Long Walk.
"I wouldn't say he'll definitely run in the (Pertemps) Final (at Cheltenham in March) but we're running just so that we have the option if we want to.
"He's going to be a chaser so it's whether we want him to run in the big handicaps or not."
Potential Crabbie's Grand National candidate Ely Brown makes his first appearance in almost a year.
Charlie Longsdon's 10-year-old struck twice over fences last winter, including an impressive victory in the Towton Novices' Chase at Wetherby, before suffering an injury when fifth in the Reynoldstown at Ascot in February.
Longsdon said: "We're looking forward to getting him on the racecourse again as it's been a long road back.
"He injured himself in the Reynoldstown last year and then suffered pneumonia in the autumn, so he's had a few problems.
"He's been a great servant to the yard and hopefully this will be the first step towards the Grand National.
"He does have an entry in the Grand National Trial at Haydock, but we'll just take it one race at a time with him."
Warren Greatrex is also hoping to chart a route to Aintree with Rowland Meyrick winner Dolatulo.
"The plan with him is the Grand National, and he will have two runs over hurdles before it," said the Upper Lambourn handler.
"It's not just to looks after his mark, he is genuinely a better horse when you mix things up a bit.
"If we can get him qualified, and I'm surprised there aren't more runners, it will give us the option of running in the Final at Cheltenham. He will have other options, though.
"He's in great form. I'm very happy with him and he can run off a lower rating over hurdles."
Neil King's promising novice Zeroeshadesofgrey lost his unbeaten record over timber at Cheltenham last time out and runs in this rather than the River Don at Doncaster on Saturday.
"I think the longer trip might be to our advantage," said King.
"It looks the easier race of the two. It's only three weeks ago that he ran at Cheltenham, but he's been in good form and is ready to go again.
"That (Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in March) remains very much in the back of our minds."
Victor Dartnall's Ambion Wood returns to the fray after 20 months out with injury.
The Devon handler told his website, www.victordartnallracing.com: "He's very well, and, all being well after this race, he'll resume his chasing career."
Huntingdon is subject to a precautionary inspection at 8am on Friday.
