Obeaux is on track to win at Kempton
Clan Des Obeaux can secure his third victory in a mouthwatering renewal of the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton.
Triumphant in 2018 and 2019, the nine-year-old could finish only third behind popular stablemate Frodon when bidding for the hat-trick 12 months ago.
That slightly below-par effort came off the back of a slog in the Haydock mud a month earlier when finishing second to Bristol De Mai in the Betfair Chase.
Trainer Paul Nicholls has decided to take a different approach this term, with Clan Des Obeaux making his seasonal reappearance in the Kempton showpiece.
While some may view that asanegative,Nichollshasproventimeandagainhecangethis horses cherry-ripe first time out and recent reports of Clan Des Obeaux's well-being have been glowing.
Frodon is again in opposition and is bound to give a bold sight, while Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Minella Indo, fellow Irish raider Asterion Forlonge and the progressive Chantry House add further spice.
But for Minella Indo this is astepontheroadtoaGoldCup defence and might not be the ideal test, Asterion Forlonge has well publicised quirks and Chantry House still has it to prove at this level.
Clan Des Obeaux, on the other hand, has had the King Georgeashismainobjectivefor the season from the get-go and isexpectedtoprovideNicholls with a 13th victory in the race.
Epatante should also regain her title in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle.
Nicky Henderson's charge was a brilliant winner of the two-mile Grade One two years ago before going on to lift the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Last season was not so smooth for the JP McManusowned mare as she suffered a shock defeat in the Christmas Hurdle and was no match for Honeysuckle at Cheltenham, finishing third.
While it would be a stretch to suggest she was back to her very best on her return to action in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle last month, she travelled with plenty of zest and showed plenty of heart in the rain-softened ground to share the honours with Not So
Sleepy.
The pair renew rivalry and the speed test Kempton presents might just see Epatante come out on top.
The Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase throws up an intriguing clash between LucindaRussell'sAhoySenorand
the Nicholls-trained Bravemansgame.
Both were Grade One-winning
novice hurdlers last season and look set to scale even greater heights over fences, withBravemansgametwofrom two and Ahoy Senor blowing his rivals away at Newbury on his second attempt after unseating his rider at Carlisle.