Ten left in King George Chase
Best Mate will face a maximum of nine rivals in his attempt to take the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
Henrietta Knight's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner will renew his rivalry with Florida Pearl and Bacchanal in the Grade One contest.
Knight has also left Lord Noelie in the race, while Bacchanal's trainer Nicky Henderson could be represented by Marlborough as well.
The one French challenger is Guillaume Macaire's chaser Douze Douze, who finished second to Best Mate at Huntingdon in November.
Arthur Moore's Native Upmanship has never won over the King George trip of three miles but was very impressive at Punchestown last time.
