The Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day promises to be a vintage edition with several of the sport’s biggest names on course to clash. 

All six declared are Grade One winners with one of them being the defending champ, Bravemansgame. Another is Frodon, who seeks to regain the crown he won in 2020. That pair are trained by Paul Nicholls, who has already won the £250,000 showpiece a record 13 occasions. 

The powerhouse that is Willie Mullins has struck only twice, but Allaho is favourite to give him a third triumph. 

The start could be as dramatic as the finish, with the will-he-or-won’t-he Shishkin also set to line-up. It may be all he will do, unless he’s taken exception to Timeform awarding him one of their dreaded squiggles. 

Here’s a guide to those still in the mix. Watch the big race on Racing TV.

Trainer: Willie Mullins. Official Rating: 177. Best odds: 13/8. 

The highest-rated horse in the line-up (assuming Galopin Des Champs doesn’t line up) is a colossus off the racecourse and has often looked a monster on it, but is he the force he once was after his well-documented health issues? He’s twice won the Ryanair Chase by a wide margin (in 2021 and 2022) and was mesmerising when landing the 2022 Punchestown Gold Cup by 14 lengths. But then came news of a spleen problem and abdominal bleed, keeping him on the sidelines for the best part of 19 months. He resumed with a defeat of two rivals in a slow-motion Clonmel Oil Chase last month but his jumping lacked some polish and his main rival, a stablemate who had to concede 5lb, was not ridden with much imagination. The deep ground made it had for any horse to impress that day but those hunting for clues will observe that the winner of the mares’ race earlier on the card won over the same trip in a 4sec quicker time carrying more weight. I’d love to see Allaho lobbing along at the head of affairs taking rivals out of their comfort zone, as we’ve grown accustomed to seeing, but clearly, he comes with risks attached. 

Trainer: Paul Nicholls. Official Rating: 172. Best odds: 2/1. 

This nimble jumper provided Paul Nicholls with his 13th King George success last year. Several of his previous winners – See More Business, Kauto Star, Silviniaco Conti and Clan Des Obeaux – have been multiple winners, so you take him on at your peril. Bravemansgame ended up winning by 14 lengths last year, having won the Kauto Star 12 months earlier. The speedy demands of Kempton clearly suit him well but he’s not been at his best in either of his races this term, with Royale Pagaille (rated 12lb inferior going into the race) dishing out a comprehensive defeat to him in the Betfair Chase a month ago. The natural conclusion is that tough races at Cheltenham, when runner-up in the Gold Cup, and Punchestown in the spring have left a mark. Nicholls needs to refresh and revive him, but he’s had only a small window to play with. 

Trainer: Paul Nicholls. Official Rating: 158. Best odds: 50/1. 

The 2020 winner has been a wonderful competitor over the years, but Father Time is on his shoulder and it’s clear he’s not the force he once was. His only win in the past two years was achieved in last season’s Badger Beer Chase. He will no doubt again give his all, but it will be a shock if he regains his crown. The last 11-year-old to win was the mighty Kauto Star in 2011. 

Trainer: John Hanlon. Official Rating: 166. Best odds: 33/1. 

His rags-to-riches story has more unwritten chapters, and you underestimate him at your peril. He has made remarkable strides in the past year or so and showed he could rub shoulders with the best when putting up a bold show in last season’s Gold Cup. This bare 3m should suit him and the mostly dry weather forecast between now and the big race will be in his favour as decent ground serves him well. Below-par at Galway last time but is the type to quickly bounce back. 

Trainer: Nicky Henderson. Official Rating: 173. Best odds: 5/1. 

Will he, or won’t he? Shishkin’s six Grade One triumphs and one-time sequence of ten successive victories speak for themselves, but the class swat has developed a naughty streak that means he’s not the reliable commodity he once was. Signs of him going off the rails became apparent at Cheltenham last season when a lazy display cost him victory in the Ryanair Chase, and he took that a step further on his return at Ascot when turning his head to one side at the start and refusing to race after being equipped with first-time cheekpieces. The headgear is now removed. In between, there was a reminder of his brilliance, when gaining a battling success over 3m 1f at Aintree. Nicky Henderson has been thwarted in finding a prep race for Shishkin after that Ascot misdemeanour, but he can go well fresh and his four previous visits to Kempton have all ended in wide-margin victories. The finish of the King George promises to be exciting, and the start will be equally compelling after Shishkin’s behaviour last time. The one certainty is that he’s going to go off the biggest price he’s been since landing the Supreme Novice Hurdle at 6/1 in 2020. 

Trainer: Patrick Neville. Official Rating: 162. Best odds: 15/2. 

The lightly raced seven-year-old developed into one of last season’s top staying novice chasers, winning each of his three starts at Cheltenham from the front. His highlight came when fending off Geri Colombe by a short head in the Brown Advisory. You can argue he was a shade fortunate that day – the runner-up would have won in another stride – although he jumped and travelled best, showing attributes that will serve him well at Kempton. He disappointed on his return when pulled up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, although he can be excused that effort as he suffered an over-reach. The worry is that he’s clearly not had an ideal prep. His trainer had a welcome winner at Carlisle on Sunday after a barren run. 

Shishkin's wayward behaviour seems factored into his price and he looks the value given his level of ability, track record and drying ground, which won't examine any potential fitness flaws as much as a muddy renewal would have.

1 SHISHKIN. 2 ALLAHO. 3 BRAVEMANSGAME. 4 HEWICK. 5 FRODON. 6 THE REAL WHACKER.