Eight runners remain in contention for the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
The open nature of the race has attracted a strong Irish hand, including dual Ryanair Chase winner Allaho from the Willie Mullins stable. Successful in the Clonmel Oil Chase on seasonal reappearance, the gelding currently heads the market for the festive showpiece. Whilst Gordon Elliott's Gerri Colombe is not a certainty to line up, he will be well-fancied if making the journey over from Ireland, having won the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal in November.
Gerri Colombe will be rematching with The Real Whacker, who came out on top in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Patrick Neville's charge was pulled up on his return in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham but is expected to produce a better performance at Kempton.
Last year's winner Bravemansgame may have suffered defeat on both starts since the summer, however trainer Paul Nicholls is confident the returning champion will show better form switched back to his beloved Kempton Park. He will be joined by stablemate Frodon, who will be looking for a fairytale second success in the race with connections confirming the gelding will retire at the end of the season.
Nicky Henderson's Shishkin is aiming to get his career back on track after refusing to race in the 1965 Chase at Ascot whilst Venetia William's Royal Pagaille comes into the race after a victory in the Betfair Chase at his favoured Haydock Park.
The globetrotting Hewick completes the line up for Shark Hanlon.
