Irish challenger Spillane's Tower leads a field of 11 runners declared for the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day (14:30 GMT).
The six-year-old, trained by Jimmy Mangan for owner JP McManus, was a double winner at the highest Grade 1 level last season and was added as an additional entry last week alongside last year's fourth-placed The Real Whacker and French. Rival Juntos Ganamos.
Spillane's Tower, to be ridden by Mark Walsh, was second to Fact to File on his return to action at Punchestown last month with two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs in third.
McManus also owns the Emmett Mullins-trained Corbetts Cross, which will be ridden by amateur Derek O'Connor, in a race that is set to have its largest field since 2009.
The Dan Skelton-trained Gray Dawning – runner-up in the Betfair Chase and winner of last season's Cheltenham Festival – leads the British hopes while French rival Il Est Francais is also strong in the betting market.
Trained in France by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, the horse won the Kauto Star Novices' Chase over the course and distance 12 months ago but was withdrawn at Auteuil last time out.
Last year's winner Hewick has not been announced, and will instead cross hurdles at Leopardstown, although Joseph O'Brien's Banbridge and Henry de Bromhead's Envoy Allen, ridden by Paul Townend and Rachel Blackmore respectively, will travel from Ireland.
The 2022 Bravemansgame winner is seeking to reclaim his crown and provide trainer Paul Nicholls with a record 14th race win.
The field is completed by L'Homme Presse, who makes his first appearance since finishing fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season for Venice Williams.
Meanwhile, former hurdles champion Constitution Hill could meet rising star Lossiemouth in the Christmas race at Kempton (13:55 GMT).
Hill Constitution He has been off the track with a variety of issues since his win at Kempton 12 months ago but is listed in a field of four strong.