Don Cossack tops a field of nine in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Gordon Elliott's eight-year-old slammed the reopposing Cue Card at Aintree back in April before beating Gold Cup runner-up Djakadam at Punchestown and he has not been off the bridle in two victories so far this season.
He spearheads a powerful Irish challenge, with Vautour one of two runners for Willie Mullins.
The six-year-old failed to sparkle last Christmas when beaten at Leopardstown, but he bounced back to Grade One-winning form in the JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham before opening this term with a workmanlike victory at Ascot.
Mullins said: "I hope we can get another performance like Cheltenham in him - remember the year before I was more blown away by him than Faugheen.
"I think he has that ability. He looked in a different league when he won the Supreme and has probably only reproduced that once since in the JLT."
Mullins also runs Valseur Lido, who steps back up to three miles, a trip over which he won a Grade One as a novice, after chasing home Djakadam in the John Durkan on his reappearance.
Heading up the home team is Colin Tizzard's Cue Card, a rejuvenated presence this season after wins in the Charlie Hall and Betfair Chase. This will be his fourth appearance in the race.
Dual winner Silviniaco Conti attempts to give Paul Nicholls an incredible 10th King George win.
Kauto Star provided him with five victories, while See More Business claimed the prize twice for the Ditcheat handler.
Last year's third Al Ferof is back for more after running out an impressive winner on his debut for Dan Skelton in the Peterborough Chase.
David Pipe runs Betfair Chase fifth Ballynagour, with Rebecca Curtis' Irish Cavalier completing the line-up.
The only horse not declared is Noel Meade's Road To Riches, who is expected to run in the Lexus Chase instead.