AT the time of writing, the 32Red-backed King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day looks like featuring a fascinating clash.

It features the established might of Cue Card against the not-so-young pretender that is Thistlecrack, both trained by Colin Tizzard.

In terms of the times they have achieved over fences to date, there is little contest: Cue Card has several big figures to his name, including a 173 from winning the Betfair Chase at Haydock, while Thistlecrack has “only” a 158.

However, the latter reached almost the same heights when a hurdler (172 timefigure) despite scarcely breaking sweat.

This promises to be some race, whether you have a bet or not.

But if you have a bet I reckon the proven brilliance of Cue Card should prevail over the promised brilliance of Thistlecrack.

The Christmas Hurdle earlier on the Kempton card has cut up somewhat.

I cannot see why Yanworth - who rather fell in against Lil Rockerfeller at Ascot, where he recorded a 150 timefigure - should be such a short price.

The New One (161) and Vroum Vroum Mag (153, plus she will get a mares’ allowance) have run faster than him in recent starts.

Backing that pair at combined odds of around evens at the time of writing makes more appeal than siding with a horse, in Yanworth, who may need further and may not be top-class in any case at only a slightly bigger price.

Djakadam is bound to be quite a short price if he turns up for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28th but looks to face some stern opposition.

Valseur Lido, whose Champion Chase win at Down Royal resulted in a timefigure of 164 that has been surpassed over fences this campaign by only Cue Card and Douvan.

Djakadam himself ran to 157 when defeating Outlander and Sub Lieutenant fairly narrowly in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase earlier this month.

That was at just two and a half miles and the three miles of the Lexus should suit him better.

Valseur Lido narrowly gets my vote.