Bryony Frost chases back-to-back victories in the £250,000 feature race of the festive period aboard Frodon.
The tough-as-teak performer is one of ten entries for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.
Priced at 5-1 with the sponsors, Frodon was one of the outsiders in last year's renewal, but he bravely saw off Waiting Patiently from the front.
Stablemate Clan Des Obeaux, who lines up again on Sunday, finished third seeking a straight hat-trick of triumphs.
The duo, joined by a third Paul Nicholls-trained runner Saint Calvados, are among the opposition to 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo.
Chantry House, a 9-2 shot, also won at the March meeting and arrives at Kempton after defeating a sole rival on his reappearance.
"If you’re thinking you have a King George horse you’d be hoping to progress to a Gold Cup," his trainer Nicky Henderson said.
"He’s a very laid back horse, which I think is in his favour, and I’m not worried that he isn’t quick enough.”
King George runners and odds
Here is how Grovesnor Sport have priced up* the big race.
5-2 Clan Des Obeaux, 3-1 Minella Indo, 9-2 Frodon, 5-1 Chantry House, 13-2 Asterion Forlonge, 10-1 Lostintranslation, 16-1 Saint Calvados, 22-1 Tornado Flyer, 25-1 Mister Fisher, 66-1 Dashel Drasher
* Odds correct at the time of publication, subject to change
King George facts and figures
Race distance: Three miles
Prize money for the winner: £142,375
Race time: 3.05
Track: Right-handed
Most successful horse: Kauto Star, five wins
Leading trainer: Paul Nicholls, 12 wins
Betting: Ten out of the last 12 winners were in the top three in the market
Course form: 11 out of the last 12 winners had at least one previous run at the track
Record: All 12 had at least one run that season
TV schedule
The King George is one of five races being shown live on the main ITV channel.
Their plan also features the Wetherby feature, as follows:
Kempton Park
1.20 The Ladbrokes 5-a-side Football Novices Limited H’cap Chase
1.55 The Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices Chase (Grade 1)
2.30 The Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1)
3.05 The Ladbrokes King George Vi Chase (Grade 1)
Wetherby
2.10 The William Hill Rowland Meyrick H’cap Chase (Grade 3)
Free bets
Key contenders
Clan Des Obeaux, part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, is one of 15 horses to have won the race more than once.
He rounded off last season in style, defeating dual Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo at Punchestown after starring in an Aintree treble for the Man United legend.
Although the chaser is not a fan of Cheltenham, where Minella Indo ruled supreme in the feature in March.
He has since finished behind Frodon at Down Royal – and has to prove his effectiveness in this type of race away from Prestbury Park.
Willie Mullins' Irish raider Asterion Forlonge is a player if he can get his jumping in order, while two-time Grade 1 winner Chantry House boasts the same rating and has untapped potential.
Tips
Race-by-race selections for Kempton on ITV, including the King George, can be found here.
