Constitution Hill return revs up King George day

Comeback of hurdling great makes Boxing Day card at Kempton perhaps the most mouthwatering this century

- Greg Wood

There have been a few false dawns since Constitution Hill blew away a mismatched field at odds of 1-12 in last year's Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, but now, at last, National Hunt racing's reclusive superstar is back, and the best news of all is that this time around, he has some serious opposition too.

Nicky Henderson's unbeaten former Champion Hurdler will be in a final field of four for this year's Christmas Hurdle on Thursday, and with Willie Mullins's Lossiemouth also confirmed as a runner, the King George card can be sold as a genuine double feature, arguably for the first time this century.

Kempton's Grade One hurdle will be a head-to-head that everyone can savour and appreciate, ahead of an 11-runner King George which is also rich in potential storylines. Spillane's Tower and Corbetts Cross will attempt to give JP McManus a first success in the race, Grey Dawning will bring back memories of Desert Orchid's glory years, and Il Est Francais will bid to be the first French-trained winner for nearly a quarter of a century.