Wayne Hutchinson is excited not only at the prospect of his first ride in the William Hill King George VI Chase on Smad Place but also just being at Kempton on Boxing Day.
In the past, he has had to forego the main meeting over Christmas in favour of one of the supporting cards in his role as trainer Alan King's second jockey to Robert 'Choc' Thornton.
However with Thornton now retired, Hutchinson will head to the Sunbury venue to continue his association with Smad Place, after the flying grey's superb performance to win the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury last month.
"All's well and we're all set for Boxing Day," he said.
"I think this is my first time at Kempton on Boxing Day. Normally it would have been Choc's gig. You'd have normally seen me at somewhere like Huntingdon or Wincanton.
"I'm very much looking forward to it. Obviously it looks a strong heat and as strong a renewal as we've seen in recent years.
"He was a real thrill to ride in the Hennessy. He jumped from fence to fence all the way from flag-fall to finish.
"I know we all say it, but I certainly wouldn't want to swap him. We know he acts round the track and all ground comes alike to him. I'm sure the rain will play to our strengths rather than the likes of Vautour and Don Cossack."
Paddy Brennan has established a successful rapport with Cue Card, winning the Charlie Hall and Betfair Chase on Colin Tizzard's stable star, but he admits to win the King George would be extra special.
"Cue Card is different to most horses I've ever ridden. He's got a lot of pace, which a lot of three-milers don't necessarily have," he told Channel 4 Racing.
"A lot of three-milers just keep galloping, whereas he's got that gear where he can really quicken. He's a very easy horse to ride. There's no doubt in my mind if there's a track that's going to bring out Cue Card's strong points it's going to be Kempton.
"I know he's been there three times and it hasn't worked out, but I've ridden in the King George on horses like Nacarat and Imperial Commander and if there's any horse that will suit it it's Cue Card.
"I've been extremely lucky to have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Betfair Chase and to win a King George would be the icing on the cake. It would mean everything and it would be the one race I'd like to say I've won when I've finished riding."
If Cue Card has been the UK's ace so far this season, across the Irish Sea it is Don Cossack who has been calling the shots. Gordon Elliott's imposing eight-year-old has won his last four starts, the latest coming in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal.
Connections put his improvement down to his stronger physical shape and Eddie O'Leary, racing manager for Don Cossack's owners Gigginstown House Stud, told At The Races: "He improved physically, which he was entitled to as he's a big horse, and that was probably the difference last year to the previous year.
"He was called a few names the previous season, when he probably didn't have the strength to finish his races. Now he has. He's settling much better in his races and that will give him the chance to get any trip."
Irish Cavalier has had a couple of shots at the top table without success but was the winner of a Listed novice handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival and as a result now has to carry big weights in those races. T rainer Rebecca Curtis reports the six-year-old to be in good form and ready for another crack at a major event.
"He is being thrown in at the deep end, but we have either got to run him here or off top weight in handicaps," said the Newport handler.
"We decided to run him up against Grade One horses to see how he fares and then we can decide where we go in the spring. He is in good form at home and should run well. The three miles around Kempton should be perfect for him."
Ballynagour is the outsider of the party at odds of around 66-1, but his trainer David Pipe feels he will not be disgraced.
"I am under no illusions of the enormity of the task that lies ahead of him, although he would be much shorter in the market were it not for his last run," the Nicholashayne handler told his website.
"Remember he was only four lengths behind Cue Card at Wetherby, gave Silviniaco Conti a real fright at Aintree and was far from done with when capsizing in Don Cossack's Punchestown Gold Cup back in April. A reproduction of his best form would not see him disgraced."