Albertas on the run to Kempton

Albertas Run has been set a comeback mission of the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day.

Last season's Cheltenham Festival winner has not looked himself on two runs back this winter, finishing last in a minor event at Carlisle and having to be pulled up in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

Undeterred, trainer Jonjo O'Neill revealed: ‘He goes to the King George.

‘He was going to run in the handicap at Ascot at the weekend but (owner) Trevor Hemmings has Trabolgan in there and I don't think he has anything else in the King George.

‘They key to him is the ground. He has run badly twice on ground which didn't suit him.

‘We haven't found anything wrong with him but he has been schooling well and working well recently.’