Johnson may go to Post on Gunther McBride
And they received a further boost when Richard Johnson hinted he could partner the Philip Hobbs-trained eight-year-old, on whom he won the £100,000 handicap last year, in the race.
The jockey has the choice of current market leaders La Landiere and Gunther McBride.
"It's a nice problem to have, but frustrating as well," he said.
"There's no decision yet, but I think I'll probably ride Gunther McBride because he has won the race before and I think the conditions will suit him better of the two."
The rider has also won the prestigious contest on Gloria Victis and Young Spartacus in the past and added: "It's a nice thought to think I could win it a fourth time, but we'll see how we get on."
Hobbs also has Zafarabad in the three-mile contest and he intends running both horses.
He said: "They are very well. We are delighted the weights have gone up a stone so both will definitely run.
"Gunther McBride won last year and is in very good form so has every chance. I think he is well handicapped for the race and he always tries his heart out.
"Zafarabad can be a bit soft so we need a good jockey on board to persuade him to run well."
La Landiere's trainer Richard Phillips said: "I believe Richard Johnson rides Gunther McBride and we haven't finalised plans for a jockey yet.
"La Landiere is entered in other races and we are still deciding where she will run, but she is a likely runner.
"We are hopeful rather than confident that she will get the slight step up in trip, but she's a good galloper and her style of running suggests she will get three miles.
"She has coped with good ground before so she should handle the ground if it continues to dry out."
Nicky Henderson is another trainer with two runners in the Kempton feature, Fondmort and Katarino.
"They are both in good form," Henderson said.
"As far as Fondmort's concerned, we could always do without the weight, but he 's carrying it because the handicapper thinks he's good.
"He has won over two miles five furlongs in the Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham and his last run over two miles didn't suit. He'll go better over this longer distance.
"Katarino ran a good race at Cheltenham at the end of January over two miles five furlongs but I think he wants three miles. My only concern will be if the ground continues to dry up he wouldn't want it too hard."
Ferdy Murphy plans to run Historg, disappointing favourite in the Singer & Friedlander National Trial at Uttoxeter last time out.
"This race has been the plan for him all along and he's in very good order at the moment. Obviously we'd like a bit of rain, but he'll run well on good ground too. It's a good race for him as he carries 10st 2lbs and Davy Russell rides. I think he's got every chance."
Cashmans bet 5/1 La Landiere, 8/1 Gunther McBride, 10/1 Montreal, Chicuelo, Exit To Wave, Fondmort, 12/1 Ryalux, Bold Investor.
Meanwhile, British racing's biggest sponsor, the Tote, will spend more than £2.5million this year on supporting races.
Over 220 races, embracing all of Britain's 59 courses, will be sponsored in 2003 by the Tote.
The Tote's financial input into race sponsorship has more than quadrupled since 1992 when £588,000 was spent on 62 races.
Included in the jumps portfolio is the £350,000 Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup and £120,000 Tote Gold Trophy, the richest handicap hurdle in Europe.
The current agreement for the Cheltenham Gold Cup extends up to and including 2005, and the backing is expected to extend beyond that date.
The Tote's sponsorship on the Flat features the Tote Chester Cup, Tote Silver Bowl at Haydock, Tote Scoop6 Handicap at Sandown, Tote International Handicap at Ascot and Tote Gold Trophy at Glorious Goodwood, those just some of the major races supported before the end of July.
Then come two of the biggest handicaps of the Flat season, the Tote Ebor at York in August and Tote Ayr Gold Cup the following month. The former has been supported by the Tote since 1976 while the latter is a much newer sponsorship which commenced in 2001.
The autumn double of the Tote Cambridgeshire and Tote Cesarewitch, both at Newmarket in October, help to complete the season.
