It's on! Constitution Hill declared to take on Lossiemouth in Christmas Hurdle clash for the ages

Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth are set for a blockbuster clash in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (1.55) at Kempton on Thursday after featuring among four declarations for the Grade 1.

Nicky Henderson's stable star will be putting his eight-race unbeaten record under rules on the line in a race he won last season when last in action.

Constitution Hill missed the Champion Hurdle in March after a below-par workout at Kempton in the lead-up to the meeting, with subsequent blood tests suggesting the top hurdler was "definitely under the weather".

The Michael Buckley-owned seven-year-old suffered a bout of colic in late March and missed last month's BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle after an unusual case of lameness following a piece of work at Newbury.

Constitution Hill beat Rubaud by nine and a half lengths in this race on his sole start last campaign but faces a much stiffer test against Champion Hurdle favourite Lossiemouth.

It will be the first time they have met and Lossiemouth has the benefit of a recent run having defeated Teahupoo in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse this month. Lossiemouth is the evens favourite with bet365, who are offering 5-4 about Constitution Hill.

The Willie Mullins-trained Lossiemouth has a 9-10 record under rules – her sole defeat came when second to stablemate Gala Marceau in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown in February last year – and she is unbeaten in three starts in Britain.

All three of those wins came at Cheltenham, with festival victories in the Triumph Hurdle and Mares' Hurdle and a success in last season's International Hurdle.

Burdett Road: will be targeted at Graded races

Burdett Road: Greatwood Hurdle winner takes a big step up in gradeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Burdett Road, the winner of last month's Greatwood Hurdle, is an interesting opponent with Harry Cobden maintaining the partnership with James Owen's four-year-old.

The Gredley Family-owned hurdler had a 2-3 record over jumps as a juvenile last season and was raised 9lb by the handicapper after his half-length success at Cheltenham's November meeting.

This is a big jump in grade for Burdett Road, who boasts a mark of 109 on the Flat, and on ratings he faces a stiff task against the market principals.

Fighting Fifth Hurdle second Lump Sum completes the field and is ridden by Dylan Johnston. He finished eight lengths behind Sir Gino at Newcastle, with the winner not declared for the Christmas Hurdle and appearing likely to making his debut over fences in the Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices' Chase at Kempton on Friday in a potential clash with Ballyburn.

The Jukebox Man heads a field of five for the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase (1.20) on the King George VI Chase card. His rivals include Masaccio, who he beat by two lengths in a Newbury Grade 2 last time, Hyland, a winner of his last two starts over fences at Cheltenham, and the progressive White Rhino.

Exciting prospect Potters Charm has been declared for the Grade 1 William Hill Formby Novices' Hurdle (1.05) at Aintree. The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained five-year-old had the option of the Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday but instead drops back to 2m1f. He is unbeaten in four starts under rules and was an 11-length winner of a novice hurdle over 2m5f at Cheltenham's November meeting when last seen.

Potters Charm heads the field on official ratings but there looks to be some smart prospects among the seven-runner line-up. Roadlesstravelled, Miami Magic and Celtic Dino are among his opponents arriving with unbeaten records over hurdles.

Gordon Elliott trains three of the four runners in the Racing Post Long Distance Novice Chase (2.20) at Leopardstown. The Cullentra trainer has declared Drinmore winner Croke Park, Better Days Ahead, who beat Slade Steel on his chasing debut at Navan, and last season's Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle winner Stellar Story. The Paul Gilligan-trained Buddy One completes the field.

The final fields for Friday in Ireland have also been revealed, with Mullins responsible for four of the ten runners in the Paddy's Rewards Club Chase (1.10) in Gaelic Warrior, Gentleman De Mee, Dinoblue and Blue Lord.

Last season's Champion Chase winner Captain Guinness, the Gordon Elliott-trained Found A Fifty and Marine Nationale add further star power to the race, with Solness, Senecia and Visionarian complete the ten-runner field.

The other Grade 1 on the card, the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (1.45), has attracted a field of seven, headlined by Romeo Coolio, Bleu De Vassy, Karniquet and Karafon.