Bravemansgame and Allaho among King George runners

Venue: Kempton Racecourse Date: Tuesday, 26 December Time: 14:30 GMT

Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live

Last year’s winner Bravemansgame will bid for a second victory in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.

Rivals in the big three-mile contest at Kempton are set to include two-time Cheltenham Festival winner Allaho.

Gerri Colombe will miss the race to run instead in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown on 28 December and Royale Pagaille is also out, with a sore foot.

The King George field includes Bet365 Gold Cup winner Hewick and The Real Whacker, who beat Gerri Colombe at Cheltenham in March and is in line to return after finishing lame last time out.

Shishkin is entered for trainer Nicky Henderson after refusing to race at Ascot last month.

Henderson’s champion hurdler Constitution Hill is set to make his long-awaited seasonal comeback in the Christmas Hurdle on the same card after his return was twice scuppered by postponed fixtures.

“He is big, well and strong. His schooling is unbelievable,” said Henderson.