Jonbon debuts at two and a half miles in Friday's tough My Pension Expert Melling Chase at Aintree.
Nicky Henderson's charge has won numerous Grade Ones over the minimal trip, but connections have been considering further testing for some time.
Henderson, who missed the Cheltenham Festival due to string issues, will want to improve on his performance in the modified Clarence House Chase, where he made several leaping faults and lost 1-4.
This year's Ryanair winner Protekorat and 2022 winner Envoi Allen challenge him.
Protekorat had spent most of the previous two seasons over three miles but thrived at the reduced distance last month, while Envoi Allen defended his crown in second.
The nine-year-old Pic D'Orhy, trained by Paul Nicholls, won the race last year and is returning to try to win again for his trainer.
Easy Game, Minella Drama, and Gordon Elliott's Conflated run in this instead of the Grand National.
TrustATrader Top Novices' Hurdle will reunite talented mares, Golden Ace and Dysart Enos.
Fergal O'Brien's Dysart Enos won a Grade Two bumper at this meeting 12 months ago, but a minor setback prevented her from winning at Cheltenham.
Jeremy Scott's Golden Ace defeated Irish competitors in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle without her.