Racing: Paul Nicholls will spend the first few hours of Christmas Day putting the final touches to Kauto Star's preparations for the King George VI Chase 24 hours later.
The champion trainer and his staff will have the seven-year-old fed and watered by 9am before facing an anxious countdown to St Stephen's Day afternoon, when the undisputed staying champion will face six rivals at Kempton.
The odds-on favourite beat Exotic Dancer and Racing Demon in the King George 12 months ago and Nicholls is more than happy with his six-time Grade One winner following his repeat success in the Betfair Chase.
Nicholls said: "Kauto is in fine form and it is all systems go. There have been no problems since Haydock - he is looking great and I could not be happier with him.
"He is a fresher horse this year, as last year we ran in the Tingle Creek before the King George. We missed that race this time to give him more time."
Nicholls does, however, concede the King George is the one race in which Kauto Star could be vulnerable.
He explained: "I have no doubt he is better going left-handed and if there is any track this season that won't suit him it is Kempton.
"He can do it going right-handed though and he has won two Tingle Creeks and a King George going that way.
"He did lug a little left-handed last year but it did not stop him winning. He has always jumped well at home and his jumping has been exceptional this year.
"It is frustrating when he makes a mistake, but looking back at the video at Kempton - and even at Newbury - I would put it down to the fact he lugged left-handed but he has never looked like falling.
"He has got the ability to jump well and at Cheltenham and Haydock he was awesome."
Although he headed into the St Stephen's Day showpiece undefeated in three starts last winter, Kauto Star has only raced twice this season and suffered an unexpected defeat first time out when going down to Monet's Garden.
"If he was ever going to get beat it was first time out in a handicap, against a horse who always runs well first time out," said Nicholls.
"I was concerned he raced lazily but that is what we taught him to do last season. We wanted him to relax for the Gold Cup and he did.
"I didn't lose faith with him after Aintree but it was great to see him run like he did at Haydock.
"Before Aintree he had been working with Twist Magic, who has improved out of all recognition, but since then we have been working him with Mr Pointment and he has looked a different horse."
While old foe Exotic Dancer has been weak to back in the build-up to the race, Nicholls still believes Jonjo O'Neill's flagbearer rates as the biggest threat.
He continued: "Exotic Dancer is the main danger as he keeps doing it, and got to half a length of us at Haydock.
"For whatever reason, there will probably be a day when he does beat us.
"I know Alan (King) was kicking himself about My Way De Solzen at Haydock (finished fifth in the Betfair Chase) but I can't believe he left him that short, and to me he looked a short runner that day and he will be the one to beat in the Ryanair.
"But he may improve for the run and we will see what happens."
Nicholls will also be represented by Taranis, with the Ryanair Chase winner staking his claim when he successfully tried three miles for the first time in the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase last month.
Nicholls added: "He ran over hurdles last time, but they don't suit him anymore and when he ran at Down Royal the King George was the obvious race to aim him at.
"He will like the track and the ground and he deserves to take his chance.
"I have no doubt he will get a trip in time but an easy three miles around Kempton will suit him.
"All the others need to step up to trouble Kauto and Exotic Dancer as they are ahead of the rest."
Kempton clerk of the course Brian Clifford issued a positive bulletin after inspecting the track on Christmas Eve morning.
He said: "We are heading for a milder spell of weather, which is fantastic news.
"We have, however, had a heavy spell of fog in the last 24 hours which obviously has an effect due to precipitation.
"We are also forecast around five millimetres of rain on Christmas Day.
"That will not be a problem and the going report I've given, which is good to soft, should incorporate that rain."