Jarrod McLean didn't expect reigning jumps horse of the year Bashboy to be in Saturday's Australian Steeplechase.

And he wishes he wasn't.

McLean prepares Cats Fun who "hasn't missed a beat" since his Brierly Steeplechase win at Warrnambool, but the trainer admits odds-on favourite Bashboy looks a class above in Saturday's 3900m event at Sandown.

The Ciaron Maher-trained Bashboy has won five from six over the jumps including last year's Grand National Steeplechase.

Maher had planned to bypass the Australian Steeplechase with Bashboy but after looking at the weights for Saturday's race decided to accept and top jumps jockey Steven Pateman has been booked to ride.

"Unfortunately Ciaron seems to have changed his mind with Bashboy," McLean said.

"He is the form horse and if he stays on his feet he looks a good thing.

"My horse is in great order though. Whether his best is good enough, we'll find out."

Cats Fun was kept up to the mark with a solid hitout to win a 2800m steeplechase trial at Warrnambool last week and is second favourite behind Bashboy.

McLean is more optimistic about an upset in the Australian Hurdle (3400m) with last-start winner Maythehorsebemagic.

Winner of a restricted hurdle at Warrnambool on May 2, Maythehorsebemagic takes on the likes of Grand National Hurdle winner Brungle Cry and Macedonian, who won his maiden over the jumps by 20 lengths.

Brungle Cry and Macedonian are equal $2.25 favourites with Maythehorsebemagic ($8) the only other runner under double figures.

"I'm more confident of causing an upset to the favourites in this race than with Cats Fun," McLean said.

"I think there's a fair bit of upside to this horse. He's an exciting jumper.

"I'm looking forward to the next few months with him."