Constitution Hill will face his sternest tests in his first run in 12 months against Lossiemouth in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
Much has been said and written about Nicky Henderson's pride and joy since he strolled to an impressive second win in Grade One last year.
No one could have imagined the trials and tribulations his connections went through in that period, so much so that he saw his favorite position for the Champion Hurdle in March usurped by Lossiemouth.
First there was a disastrous gallop at Kempton Racecourse, when it was later revealed he was suffering from an infection that would have ruled him out of Cheltenham, then a bout of cramp followed.
Just when Henderson was hoping for a clear run with him at the start of the season, another gallop went awry when he came home lame from Newbury, meaning he was unable to run in the Fighting Fifth.
Constitution Hill has not been seen in a race since last year's Christmas Hurdle
However, he is now fit again and is reportedly firing on all cylinders – which he will need against Lossiemouth.
Her only defeat came when she encountered traffic problems at the 2023 Dublin Festival of Races, since which she has won a triumph over hurdles, an international race, the Mares' Hurdle and last time out at Hatton's Grace.
Lossiemouth dominated at Hatton's Grace and is now favorite for the Champion's Hurdle
Trained by Willie Mullins in Rich Ricci colours, Lossiemouth is 15lb inferior to Constitution Hill on official marks but gains 7lb mare to go with the race fitness she has on her side.
There are only two other runners. James Owen's Greatwood Hurdle winner Burdett Road and Sam Thomas' Lump Sum, second in the Fighting Fifth to Constitution Hill's super-sub Sir Gino.
Spillane's Tower is the top 11 in the King George mix
Gray Dawning, Il Est Francais and Spillane's Tower are among the 11 runners announced for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.
Dan Skelton's Gray Dawning, winner of the Turners Novices' Chase at last season's Cheltenham Festival, looks the pick of the home team after being touched by Haydock specialist Royale Pagaille in last month's Betfair Chase.
Il Est Francais, trained in France by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, was sublime in landing the Kauto Star Novices Chase over the King George course and distance 12 months ago, and deserves a lot of respect despite being stopped at Auteuil last time .
Il Est Francais impressed everyone with his jumping when he won at Kempton last year
Il Est Francais is joined by stablemate General En Chef, who was creditable when fourth on his British debut in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, with David Cottin's supplemented contender Juntos Ganamos also hoping to become the first King winner George who was trained by the Frenchman since the First Gold in 2000.
The huge Irish contingent is led by Spillane's Tower, Jimmy Mangan's first grade double winner last season, who was narrowly denied by fellow up-and-comer JP McManus Fact To File in the John Durkan at Punchestown a month ago.
Despite concerns about the soil drying out, Spillane's Tower (Mark Walsh) was added to King George Field last week. The McManus colors will also be carried by the Emmet Mullins-trained Corbetts Cross, with top amateur Derek O'Connor back in him for the first time since guiding him to a 17-length victory in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March.
Spillane's Tower and Mark Walsh win at Fairyhouse
Joseph O'Brien's Banbridge and Henry de Bromhead's Envoi Allen also travel across the Irish Sea, but last year's winner Hewick has not been announced and connections have decided to run him over hurdles at Leopardstown later this week instead.
2022 hero King George Bravemansgame bids to reclaim his crown and give trainer Paul Nicholls a record 14th race win.
The field is completed by L'Homme Presse, making his first appearance since finishing fourth in last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup for Venetia Williams, and Patrick Neville's Charlie Hall Chase winner The Real Whacker, who will be partnered by Hewick-ridden Gavin Sheehan. to fame 12 months ago.