Long Run may set his own pace as the 2011 Gold Cup winner bids to reclaim his King George VI Chase crown at Kempton on Boxing Day.

It has not been plain sailing since the Nicky Henderson-trained gelding won a rearranged King George in January 2011 before going on to glory at Cheltenham.

Second to Kauto Star 12 months ago, he heads a field of 10 for jump racing's Christmas cracker.

There were signs Long Run was on the way back when he was second to Silviniaco Conti at Haydock.

"Everything has gone right. Haydock went much better this year than it did last year, probably thanks to no Kauto Star to thump him," Henderson said.

"OK, we got beaten, but he ran well and was probably straighter and didn't get quite as hard a race.

"He improved dramatically from last year's Haydock race to the King George. We only got beaten less then two lengths by Kauto instead of eight.

"We'd expect to find that improvement, and I'd be hopeful that the ground is the one thing that can play to his strengths."

Henderson also has an able second-string in Riverside Theatre, who finished runner-up behind Long Run in the 2010-11 renewal.

"We had a plan again with him. His first run is nearly always his best and we are going straight to the King George, no preps, nothing," the trainer said.

"He had one racecourse gallop at Kempton. He worked seriously well and he's just been so good first time out every year."

Kauto Stone, a half-brother to five-times King George winner Kauto Star, takes his chance for champion trainer Paul Nicholls.

He showed three miles held no fears when striking at the first attempt in the Champion Chase at Down Royal, putting behind him a poor second half to last season.

"Kauto Stone was a bit disappointing last year after his run in the Tingle Creek," said Nicholls.

"He was very buzzed up and I think he was struggling with his breathing, and we sorted it in the summer."