PAUL NICHOLLS could prove key to proceedings at Kempton with Al Ferof taken to improve upon last year's third and snatch William Hill King George VI Chase gold.

The nine-year-old was beaten over 14 lengths by stablemate Silviniaco Conti in 2013 and while that rival lines up again, Al Ferof is fancied to reverse that form under very different conditions.

Al Ferof has had the same prep as last term, winning the Amlin Chase at Ascot, although this year's renewal was a much more competitive affair than the two-runner heat he contested the previous term.

He beat subsequent Peterborough Chase hero Wishfull Thinking as well as Tingle Creek second Somersby this term, giving the form a really strong look and suggesting that Al Ferof could be better than ever.

Owner John Hales reports his grey over the stomach ulcer and back issues that dogged him towards the latter half of the last campaign and he is back firing on all cylinders going into the Kempton.

Last year's testing conditions hardly played to his strengths in the King George and his stamina was clearly stretched by Silviniaco Conti, who is a thorough stayer and relishes a real test.

The ground looks like being a shade quicker this time around, which is a definite plus for Al Ferof, and while he has yet to strike over three miles under rules, he did score over the trip in point-to-point company.

Kempton is not a particularly searching track so if Al Ferof is to claim one of these top level events, this looks a golden opportunity with plenty in his favour.

Nicholls can also claim Grade One glory with Saphir Du Rheu in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase.

A classy hurdler last term, big things were expected on his chasing bow but he fluffed his lines when blundered through a fence and shedding his jockey at Newbury.

Turned out at Exeter a week later, he showed his true colours when seeing off Horizontal Speed by a comfortable 11 lengths, with this step up to three miles appearing a next logical step for a really promising individual.

Faugheen is hardly an original selection in the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle, but it would be a brave punter who opposes Willie Mullins' new star.

Unbeaten in seven starts to date, Faugheen triumphed at Cheltenham and Punchestown and was equally as impressive when winning on his return at Ascot last month.

He won by just under four lengths in Berkshire but it could well have been double that margin or more such was in the ease with which he won.

Faugheen heads the Champion Hurdle market already and his position will surely be strengthened again following this race.

Corrin Wood made a satisfactory return to action at Sandown earlier in the month and can build on that in the William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby.

Une Artiste is one to watch as she returns to the smaller obstacles in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton.

A former Fred Winter winner, she has been plying her trade with some success over fences but after a number of jumping errors at Clonmel last time, Nicky Henderson can get a nice confidence-booster under her belt and give her an alternative Cheltenham option in the process.

Superior Fire can break his duck in the Fellowes Farm Equine Clinic Limited Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon, while Major Milborne can make a quick reappearance pay in the Auntie Bill And Auntie Pam Handicap Hurdle at Fontwell.

Kings Apollo just failed to make all last time out but compensation awaits in the Clugston Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen.

King Rolfe can hit the mark in Sedgefield's Happy Christmas From Paxtons Handicap Chase, with Horatio Hornblower a likely type in the toteexacta Pick The 1, 2 Beginners' Chase at Towcester.

Greatest Journey looks a likely sort for Saeed bin Suroor in the 32Red Nursery Handicap at Wolverhampton following his recent win in a similar event at Lingfield.

Over in Ireland, Mullins should be on the mark with Vautour who can make every post a winning one in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

SELECTIONS:

DOWN ROYAL: 12.30 Drumlee, 1.00 Kerrib Castle, 1.30 James, 2.00 Delvin Road, 2.30 Deadly Catch, 3.00 Sultana Belle, 3.30 Angus Milan.

FONTWELL: 12.20 Par Three, 12.55 Glenariff, 1.30 Major Milborne, 2.05 Venetian Lad, 2.45 Truckers Darling, 3.20 Cruising Bye, 3.50 Osmosia.

HUNTINGDON: 12.15 Mr Mcgregor, 12.45 Roseneath, 1.20 Superior Fire, 1.50 Whiskey Chaser, 2.25 Home For Tea, 3.00 Dadsintrouble.

KEMPTON: 12.50 Zip Top, 1.25 Knock House, 2.00 Saphir Du Rheu, 2.30 Faugheen, 3.10 AL FEROF (NAP), 3.45 Kilmurvy.

LEOPARDSTOWN: 12.15 Aengus, 12.50 Velvet Maker, 1.20 Thunder Zone, 1.50 Follow The Sign, 2.20 Pires, 2.55 Vautour, 3.25 Space Cadet.,

LIMERICK: 12.30 Everest, 1.05 Go Darsi Go, 1.35 Final Boru, 2.05 Gilgamboa, 2.40 Dantes Firth, 3.15 Black Zero, 3.45 Bella Milano.

MARKET RASEN: 12.25 Spin Cast, 12.55 It's Oscar, 1.30 Chill Factor, 2.10 Kings Apollo, 2.45 Chestnut Ben, 3.20 Todd.

SEDGEFIELD: 12.10 Divine Port, 12.40 Nashville, 1.15 Zazamix, 1.55 Retrieve The Stick, 2.30 King Rolfe, 3.00 Deny, 3.30 Broadway Belle.

TOWCESTER: 12.25 Newton Thistle, 1.00 Tea For Two, 1.35 Top Benefit, 2.10 Obistar, 2.40 Horatio Hornblower, 3.15 Mr Jim.

WETHERBY: 12.35 Purple Harry, 1.10 Runswick Days, 1.45 Corrin Wood, 2.20 Spanish Fleet, 2.55 Clondaw Knight, 3.30 Grey Life.

WINCANTON: 12.30 Dark Amber, 1.05 Quick Decisson, 1.40 Une Artiste, 2.15 Mosspark, 2.50 Stag Hill, 3.25 Saroque, 3.55 Denboy.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 1.10 Secret Glance, 1.45 Pretend, 2.25 Urban Castle, 3.05 Moulin Rouge, 3.40 Gold Trail, 4.15 Greatest Journey, 4.45 Know Your Name.

DOUBLE: Al Ferof and Saphir Du Rheu.