King George the preferred destination for Coneygree

A run in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day appears the most likely of two options for Coneygree should the Gold Cup winner appear over the Christmas period.

The Mark Bradstock-trained eight-year-old, who was forced to miss the Hennessy after a setback, also holds an engagement in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28.

Speaking at a King George lunch yesterday afternoon, Bradstock said he would “definitely prefer to stay in England” while also adding he had received strong representation from officials in Ireland and that the Lexus was “still a possibility”.