'Bring it on' is the view of trainer Kim Bailey ahead of First Flow's clash with Shishkin and Energumene.
Last year's SBK Clarence House Chase winner arrives at Ascot under the radar, with all the pre-race talk about the star duo.
Swerving the task was never an option for Bailey, who saw his charge gallop clear from favourite Politologue 12 months ago.
Shishkin, odds on in the betting, has won his six chase starts while Energumene has taken all five of his.
Both put their unbeaten runs in the discipline on the line against the Gloucestershire raider, 6-1 third favourite with Paddy Power.
“They’re very good, their records speak for themselves so on the ratings we’ve got no chance but you’ve got to go for it," Bailey said.
"We promote racing to have good racing.
“Why is everybody avoiding each other? They shouldn’t, we have an opportunity now for good horses to take each other on and it will be great for racing."
First Flow already has a notable triumph to his name this season, in the Peterborough Chase, where only one rival started a longer price.
Bailey called it "slightly disappointing" his contender had not been mentioned much in the build-up.
After David Bass gave First Flow two routine canters on Tuesday, the trainer added: "We go there knowing the horse is in a good place.
“He doesn’t like going left-handed and he’s a better horse at Ascot than anywhere else. I love Ascot, the horse loves Ascot, I think it's a fantastic jumps track. It’s a great spectacle and as a course I love running horses there."
The ground at the Berkshire venue is soft, the description it was a year ago when First Flow finished seven lengths ahead.
Bailey is relishing his chance to take on Shishkin, the 1-2 favourite in ante-post lists and Energumene (5-2), trained in Ireland by Willie Mullins.
"If we could split them that would be great and if they both finish behind us even better!" he added.
