Mouse Morris has decided against sending War Of Attrition to the UK for for the King George VI Chase at Kempton and he will instead line up in Sunday's Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.
The 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero has enjoyed a successful return following a two-year absence, scoring on his first two starts before running a good third in the John Durkan at Punchestown.
Morris had been giving Kempton's December 26 feature serious consideration after walking the track last week but he has decided to chase another Grade One prize closer to home.
‘We've decided we're going to stay at home,’ said the County Tipperary handler.
‘The ground is just soft at the moment rather than heavy and the forecast is good so we are taking our chance that is correct. Basically we are sticking to plan A and this is the race he went for the year he won the Gold Cup so hopefully we can follow that route again.
‘It was six of one and half a dozen of the other and he has to beat them wherever he goes so we've decided to go to Leopardstown. He ran really well in ground he didn't like at Punchestown last time and I would say he probably needed that run.
‘Obviously he was fit because he'd already had two runs but mentally he needed it as it was the first time since he came back that he was running against real quality opposition. He wasn't fully wound up but I would say he's on track now.’
A tremendous field of eight has been attracted to the Nigel Clark Feltham Novices' Chase, also on the 26th, including The Market Man and Breedsbreeze.
The Grade One event, which perennially draws the cream of the staying novices, had to be reoffered but the final draft of potential runners could not be any better.
Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson are set to go head-to-head again at Kempton with the former's Breedsbreeze currently unbeaten from two runs over fences while jockey Barry Geraghty eulogised over the jumping of Henderson's The Market Man at Newbury.
Former Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle winner Massini's Maguire and Victor Dartnall's well-regarded Lodge Lane are two more potential stars in the mix, while Charlie Mann has long been sweet on his entry Shining Gale.
Ballyfitz was not disgraced when coming up a little short against Nicholls' What A Friend at Cheltenham last time and could represent Nigel Twiston-Davies while Francois Doumen's Millenium Royal and the Keith Goldsworthy-trained Hold Em cannot be safely discarded either.
