Supplemented Spillane's Tower new King George favourite - plus Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth entered in blockbuster Christmas Hurdle

Spillane's Tower has overtaken Grey Dawning at the head of the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (2.30) market after being supplemented for the feature race at Kempton on Boxing Day.

The JP McManus-owned six-year-old, one of 14 runners still in contention, is available at 3-1 with Paddy Power, ahead of Grey Dawning at 4-1, after finishing second in the John Durkan at Punchestown last time. Sponsors Ladbrokes are one of the only major bookmakers to still have Grey Dawning topping the betting.

Spillane's Tower leads a strong Irish challenge, which also includes the Joseph O'Brien-trained Banbridge, Corbetts Cross, Envoi Allen and Hewick, a 12-1 winner last year for trainer Shark Hanlon.

Grey Dawning: leads the British King George challenge for Dan SkeltonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Grey Dawning, who won last season's Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, will renew his rivalry with Royal Pagaille, who beat him by two lengths in last month's Betfair Chase at Haydock.

Bravemansgame, who scored by 14 lengths under Harry Cobden in 2022, is set to line up again for Paul Nicholls, who has not confirmed his other entry, Turners runner-up Ginny's Destiny.

L'Homme Presse, who like Royal Pagaille is trained by the in-form Venetia Williams, is on course to make his seasonal reappearance after finishing fourth in last season's Gold Cup.

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Il Est Francais, winner of last year's Kauto Star Novices' Chase, has been given the green light for the race, as has General En Chef and supplementary entry Juntos Ganamos.

Ahoy Senor will line up in the race for the first time since finishing fifth two years ago, while The Real Whacker has also been supplemented by trainer Patrick Neville. 

The Gordon Elliott-trained Found A Fifty, Protektorat, Jungle Boogie and Ga Law featured among 16 entries for the King George but were not confirmed on Friday. 

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (2.30 Kempton, December 26)

Ladbrokes: 10-3 Greay Dawning, 4 Spillane’s Tower, Il Est Francais, 5 Banbridge, 8 Envoi Allen 10 Corbetts Cross, 12 Hewick, 14 The Real Whacker, 16 Juntos Ganamoss, L’Homme Presse, 25 Bravemansgame, 33 Royale Pagaille, 66 Ahoy Senor, 100 General En Chef

Big three entered in Christmas Hurdle

Nicky Henderson holds a strong hand in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (1.55) after his stable stars Constitution Hill and Sir Gino featured among eight entries for the Kempton Grade 1.

Constitution Hill was due to make his long-awaited comeback in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle last month but was reported to be lame following a racecourse gallop at Newbury.

Constitution Hill: could make his eagerly awaited reappearance in the Christmas HurdleCredit: Mark Cranham

Sir Gino, an unbeaten four-year-old who looked set to go over fences this season, proved an able deputy for his stablemate, winning by eight lengths from the reopposing Lump Sum.

Their opposition could include Unibet Champion Hurdle favourite Lossiemouth, an impressive winner of this month's Grade 1 Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Coral make Willie Mullins' star mare the 4-5 favourite over Constitution Hill at 11-8.

Golden Ace, who landed the Grade 2 Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, and Greatwood winner Burdett Road could also feature in what promises to be a high-class field.

The Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase (1.20) has attracted eight entries, including The Jukebox Man, winner of the Grade 2 John Francome Novices' Chase at Newbury last time.

At Aintree, Potters Charm and The New Lion feature among 12 entries for the Grade 1 Formby Novices' Hurdle (1.05), although both horses could take in Newbury's Challow Hurdle on December 28 instead.

Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (1.55 Kempton, December 26)

Ladbrokes: 4-5 Lossiemouth, 11-8 Constitution Hill, 5-2 Sir Gino, 16 Burdett Road, Golden Ace, 20 Lump Sum, 50 Nemean Lion, 100 Calico

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King George VI Chase confirmations

• Ahoy Senor
• Banbridge
• Bravemansgame
• Corbetts Cross
• Envoi Allen
• General En Chef
• Grey Dawning
• Hewick
• Il Est Francais
• Juntos Ganamos
• L'Homme Presse
• Royal Pagaille
• Spillane's Tower
• The Real Whacker

Christmas Hurdle entries

• Burdett Road
• Calico
• Constitution Hill
• Golden Ace
• Lossiemouth
• Lump Sum
• Nemean Lion
• Sir Gino

Kauto Star Novices' Chase entries

• Hyland
• Illico De Cotte
• Masaccio
• Shanagh Bob
• Theformismighty
• The Jukebox Man
• Welcom To Cartries
• White Rhino

Formby Novices' Hurdle entries

• Blue De Vassy
• Celtic Dino
• Country Mile
• Good And Clever
• Junker D'Allier
• Listentoyourheart
• Miami Magic
• Potters Charm
• Roadlesstravelled
• Romeo Coolio
• Royal Infantry
• The New Lion

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Read these next:

'Hugely talented' French chaser set to be supplemented for King George 

Il Est Francais given green light for Kempton as King George jigsaw starts to fall into place 

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