Racing News: Kauto Star heads a quality field of 11 for the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.
The 2007 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero bids to become the first horse since the great Desert Orchid to win the Christmas feature for three years running.
Kauto Star, trained by Paul Nicholls, meets old adversaries Old Vic and Exotic Dancer, who finished second and third respectively behind him 12 months ago.
Exotic Dancer, who was also runner-up in 2006, is one of two left in by Jonjo O'Neill - the other being Albertas Run.
The only defector at the final declaration stage was the 2006 Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition, who instead goes for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.
Our Vic's trainer David Pipe also saddles Tamarinbleu.
Former Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Voy Por Ustedes steps up to three miles for the first time and, like Exotic Dancer, is owned by Sir Robert Ogden.
Supplementary entry Snoopy Loopy, who took advantage of a dramatic final-fence exit by Kauto Star to take the Betfair Chase, represents Peter Bowen.
Nigel Twiston-Davies runs Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander.
Completing the line-up are Air Force One, Briareus and Mont Misere.
Murphy sets sights on Binocular
Brave Inca's trainer Colm Murphy is another to have taken serious notice of Binocular's awesome performance on Saturday.
Murphy's old stager won the Champion Hurdle in 2006 and was second in 2007 but is a long way adrift of Nicky Henderson's four-year-old in the betting for next year's renewal after he ran away with the Boylesports.com International at Ascot.
Brave Inca made a pleasing return from an 18-month absence to be second in last month's Hatton's Grace Hurdle and will contest the Leopardstown Golf Centre December Festival Hurdle on December 29th instead of several other entries over the Christmas period.
"He runs on the Monday and everything's going well, touch-wood," said Murphy. "I'll just give him a canter on Wednesday now."
Reflecting on Binocular, who is the short-priced favourite for Cheltenham next March, the Wexford trainer added: "He was very, very impressive."
"If I was sent him, I wouldn't be complaining, that's for sure. He looks the one to beat at this stage."
Nicholls remains cautious with Denman
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Denman has not been declared at Wincanton on St Stephen's Day.
Paul Nicholls has shelved plans to run the gelding over hurdles for the first time since he suffered his only career defeat at the hands of Nicanor in March 2006.
The eight-year-old was a candidate to line up in a series qualifier of the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle, which has attracted 10 runners including stablemates Elusive Dream and Pride Of Dulcote.
Denman has been sidelined since his Cheltenham success in March after he was found to be suffering from a fibrillating heart.
Nicholls has for a long time earmarked the Aon Chase at Newbury in February as his big-race comeback over fences.