The big names are all among the eight final declarations for the Betfair Chase

Silviniaco Conti wins last year's Betfair Chase

All the major players are confirmed on course for the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday in what could well be the classiest steeplechasing contest seen away from the Cheltenham Festival this season.

Market leader Bobs Worth is among eight runners to have been declared and the Cheltenham Gold Cup ante-post favourite will face Silviniaco Conti and Dynaste, respectively the third and fourth favourites for that contest.

Cue Card, Long Run, Roi Du Mee, The Giant Bolster and Tidal Bay make up the field for a contest in which the average BHA rating is nearly 170 - a thrilling prospect for any jump racing fan.

Bobs Worth is 2/1 favourite with Sky Bet. Nicky Henderson's eight-year-old only ran twice last season but he won the Hennessy at Newbury and the biggest prize in steeplechasing.

Stablemate Long Run, himself a Gold Cup winner and twice successful in the King George, also takes part but needs to put behind him a disappointing reappearance at Wetherby.

Silviniaco Conti is one of two representatives for Paul Nicholls, and will be ridden by Noel Fehily, with stable jockey Daryl Jacob heading to Ascot.

Tidal Bay, the mount of Sam Twiston-Davies, will also represent Nicholls after returning from injury with a second win in the West Yorkshire Hurdle.

Dynaste runs for David Pipe after skipping the Paddy Power Gold Cup last weekend.

Last season's Ryanair Chase hero Cue Card is likely to strip fitter for his comeback run at Exeter.

The Giant Bolster, second and fourth in the last two Gold Cups, will be saddled by David Bridgwater.

The sole Irish runner is Gordon Elliott's Grade One winner Roi De Mee, who had Sizing Europe behind him when victorious at Down Royal last time out.