Both Ballyburn and Sir Gino have been entered in the Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase in what could be another Christmas cracker at Kempton.
Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson are on course to lock horns in the Christmas Hurdle with Lossiemouth and Constitution Hill respectively – and the two training giants could renew rivalries 24 hours later
Mullins mooted the possibility of Ballyburn making the trip across the Irish Sea a few weeks ago when he lamented the removal of the Grade One extended two-mile novice chase from the Leopardstown Christmas meeting.
So far this season, Sir Gino has played the role of super-sub for Constitution Hill. Should his exalted stablemate not make the Christmas Hurdle for any reason, then the four-year-old could step into the breach once more, just as he did in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle, where he looked a top-class prospect.
Also in the Wayward Lad are Brookie, Home Free, Hypotenus and the Paul Nicholls duo Kalif Du Berlais and Rubaud.
Alan King’s Edwardstone is one of nine entries in the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase.
With no Jonbon to worry about this time, his main danger appears to be Harry Fry’s Boothill.
Editeur Du Gite, Martator and Calico are also in the mix.