Banbridge is fancied to take the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase trophy back to Ireland for the third time in four years.
Tornado Flyer came out on top in 2021 and Hewick famously flew home from way back to snatch the spoils at Kempton last season.
A strong raiding party will head over the Irish Sea once again and Banbridge is rated the pick.
Joseph O'Brien’s charge has already proven himself a good traveller, scoring twice at Cheltenham, landing a Grade One novice chase at Aintree and beating Pic d’Orhy at this venue back in January.
Stepping up to three miles should be no problem judged on that course victory and the way he kept on strongly to win the Martin Pipe race over hurdles at the 2022 Festival.
Banbridge was below par on his seasonal reappearance at Navan but ran a cracker when pushing Energumene hard in the Hilly Way at Cork until carried right and unseating his rider at the final fence.
There will be no concerns over ground conditions and this well-tested eight-year-old may just be that little bit more battle-hardened than some promising young rivals.
Opposing Constitution Hill feels like something of a betrayal but Lossiemouth must surely be regarded as the percentage pick in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle.
Last season’s Mares’ Hurdle winner already has a run under her belt this term and created a big impression when beating Teahupoo in a decisive manner in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse.
Dropping back down to two miles on a sharp track and decent ground might not be ideal, but a 7lb mares’ allowance more than makes up for it, especially as Nicky Henderson’s superstar has so much to prove following a year off.
