Confirmed runners and riders for Saturday's King George at Kempton

The stage is set for another fascinating Ladbrokes King George VI clash at Kempton on Saturday, with nine runners declared for the Grade 1 festive highlight.

There were few surprises on Wednesday morning when the final field for the race was confirmed with the line-up headed by the powerhouse Paul Nicholls-trained duo of Clan Des Obeaux and Cyrname.

Successful in the race for the last two seasons, Clan Des Obeaux is the mount of Sam Twiston-Davies as Harry Cobden - Nicholls' stable jockey - continues his association with Charlie Hall winner Cyrname, officially rated the best jumper in Britain by BHA handicappers.

Should they, or fellow Ditcheat inmates Frodon or Real Steel, strike, it would be a record-extending 12th triumph in the race for the Somerset-based trainer, who plundered a memorable five King Georges with horse-of-a-lifetime Kauto Star.

Irish raider Monalee, as revealed on Tuesday, will not run because of coronavirus restrictions on travel to and from Ireland and Britain, so the Colin Tizzard-trained Lostintranslation could provide the main threat.

High class at his best, he landed last year's Betfair Chase and was third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but was pulled up when fancied in the King George 12 months ago and the defence of his Haydock title did not go to plan when he was third, beaten 47 lengths by Bristol De Mai.

Saint Calvados: off since MarchCredit: Mark Cranham

Santini, supplemented for the King George on Monday for £5,000, was also confirmed along with the smart Waiting Patiently and Saint Calvados, who have lengthy layoffs to overcome, while Black Op will also take his chance.

The Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle is another Grade 1 highlight on Kempton's Saturday card, and last year's winner Epatante, who then went on to capture the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, faces four rivals including stablemate Floressa, Ballyandy, Diego Du Charmil and Silver Streak. Goshen and Sceau Royal were not declared.

Kempton Saturday card

Barney Clifford, Kempton's clerk of the course, described the going as good to soft, good in places on Wednesday morning after 2mm of rain on Tuesday night.

If more rain falls - 10-15mm is forecast - he anticipates conditions to ease slightly to good to soft, soft in places for the big day.

King George runners and riders

Black Op Tom Scudamore
Clan Des Obeaux Sam Twiston-Davies
Cyrname Harry Cobden
Frodon Bryony Frost
Lostintranslation Robbie Power
Real Steel Daryl Jacob
Saint Calvados Gavin Sheehan
Santini Nico de Boinville
Waiting Patiently Brian Hughes

Read more:

King George fancies: 'The horse I'd want to be on isn't even in the market'

Superb Clan Des Obeaux wins second King George VI Chase for Nicholls

Santini and Native River thwarted in Many Clouds Chase by outsider Lake View Lad

'I've never been so happy' - Daryl Jacob hails Bristol De Mai's Betfair triumph

Coronavirus restrictions bar London racegoers from Kempton on Boxing Day

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