Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File among nine confirmed for King George showdown - plus find out Sir Gino's potential Christmas Hurdle rivals

Click here to add us to your Google preferred sources or find out more here

One repeat that everybody wants to see over Christmas moved a step nearer on Saturday when Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File were confirmed for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.

They served up arguably the race of the season in last month's John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown, with just a neck separating the pair at the line at the end of a thrilling battle over the last four fences.

There has been little between them in the betting for their rematch since trainer Willie Mullins confirmed both would take their chance at Kempton on Friday.

Joseph O'Brien's Banbridge was also among the nine confirmations for a race in which he gave Ireland its third win in four years last season.

But the betting suggests the main danger to the John Durkan duo is Jango Baie, who was an impressive Grade 2 winner for Nicky Henderson at Ascot last month.

After confirmations were made, Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior were 5-2 joint-favourites with Coral, whose spokesman David Stevens said: "We can't split them at the head of our betting with both on track for Kempton and a King George of the highest quality, reflected by last year's one-two, Banbridge and Il Est Francais, being among the outsiders this time around at 14-1 and 20-1 respectively."

Sir Gino is set to make his highly anticipated return in the Christmas HurdleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Henderson will also be bidding for a record-extending 14th victory in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle with Sir Gino, who is set to return from injury on Friday and have his first run since winning a novice chase at this meeting 12 months ago.

He is among nine entries for the £130,000 contest, along with Fighting Fifth Hurdle first three Golden Ace, Anzadam and Nemean Lion.

• 'It looks the ideal race for them' - Fact To File on course for Kempton and challenging Gaelic Warrior at head of King George betting 
• He's back! Nicky Henderson confirms it's all systems go for Sir Gino's Boxing Day return in the Christmas Hurdle 

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (2.30 December 26)

Banbridge Joseph O'Brien
Croke Park Gordon Elliott
Djelo Venetia Williams
Fact To File Willie Mullins
Gaelic Warrior Willie Mullins
Il Est Francais Tom George
Jango Baie Nicky Henderson
Master Chewy Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
The Jukebox Man Ben Pauling

Ladbrokes: 5-2 Fact To File, Gaelic Warrior, 10-3 Jango Baie, 13-2 The Jukebox Man, 11 Djelo, 14 Banbridge, 20 Il Est Francais, 80 Master Chewy, 100 Croke Park. 

Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (1.55, December 26)

Alexei Joe Tizzard
Anzadam Willie Mullins
Celtic Dino Sam Thomas
Give It To Me Oj Gary & Josh Moore
Golden Ace Jeremy Scott
Nemean Lion Kerry Lee
Rubaud Paul Nicholls
Sir Gino Nicky Henderson
Tripoli Flyer Fergal O'Brien

Ladbrokes: 4-5 Sir Gino, 4 Anzadam, 5 Golden Ace, 8 Celtic Dino, 12 Nemean Lion, Rubaud, 20 Tripoli Flyer, 25 Alexei, 50 Give It To Me Oj.

Four takeaways from the other Boxing day entries

Mullins targets Kempton Grade 1s

Willie Mullins has the big two in the King George VI Chase but may also be targeting the other two Grade 1s on the card. As well as Anzadam in Christmas Hurdle contention, he has also entered high-class pair Jimmy Du Seuil and Kitzbuhel in the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase. Jamie Snowden's impressive John Francome Novices' Chase winner Wendigo could be lying in wait if the Closutton duo take up their entries.

Mydaddypaddy: one of 11 entered in the Grade 1 Formby Novices' HurdleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Supreme favourite on course for Aintree

Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite Mydaddypaddy, who has won at 1-2 and 1-5 over hurdles so far, should face a proper test when he steps up to Grade 1 company in the William Hill Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree. Among the other dual winners entered are Idaho Sun, Spectacularsunrise and Diamond Hunter, who Ianded a Grade 2 at Haydock last month, while the powerful yards of Nicky Henderson and Gordon Elliott could be represented by maiden hurdle winners Act Of Innocence and Skylight Hustle respectively.

• 'It'll be his last run before Cheltenham' - Dan Skelton on plans for stable stars Mydaddypaddy, The New Lion and Grey Dawning 

Wetherby wonder

Some Scope could bid to become the first ever repeat winner of the William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase, the Wetherby feature which was founded in 1957. He has been beaten in all six runs since last year's victory and is set to face impressive recent Rehearsal Chase winner Konfusion.

A royal Christmas present?

Watch out for a potential royal winner at Wolverhampton, where the King and Queen's Aeolian will be well suited by stepping up to 1m4f in the £27,000 Midnite: Built For 2025 Not 2005 Handicap. She is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Desert Hero and looked good in bolting up by nearly three lengths over a furlong shorter at Kempton on her all-weather debut. 

Read more:

'Going into the King George with a fighting chance is incredible - and I think we have the one to beat' 

'Kempton is made for him' - Ben Pauling bullish about The Jukebox Man's bid for King George glory 

Can Fact To File right a King George wrong for JP McManus and give the legendary owner a first win in the race? 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.