Paul Nicholls has confirmed he hopes to have up to three runners in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury next Saturday.
The Somerset based trainer confirmed that Zarkander and Brampour will definitely take part in the race, while Empire Levant could be a third.
Ruby Walsh had been pencilled in to ride last year's Triumph Hurdle winner Zarkander but he will miss out after he was given a three-day suspension for careless riding at Cheltenham last weekend.
Nicholls confirmed that Daryl Jacob will ride in his place, while Harry Derham will ride Brampour.
Speaking of his plans for the Newbury meeting, the 49-year-old told betfair.com: "At this stage, ante-post favourite Zarkandar (Daryl Jacob) and Brampour (Harry Derham) are my two definite runners in the Betfair Hurdle, Europe's richest handicap hurdle. And Empire Levant could also join them.
"What a Friend was a sick horse after Wetherby but he is in really good form at the moment and is my number one hope in the Betfair Denman Chase.
"He carried a 10lb penalty when a head second to Noland in the race last season, but doesn't this time around.
"Hopefully, this will be a good stepping stone to the Gold Cup, in which he finished a fine fourth last season.
"Paul Barber was obviously keen to have a runner in the Betfair Denman Chase, so we will enter Aiteen Thirtythree. But he will have to up his game after disappointing us again at Doncaster last week; let's hope a small field, conditions race at his favoured Newbury is more to his liking."