Horse Racing: Japhet's Kempton date confirmed

Star French novice chaser Japhet, who lost his unbeaten record at Newbury earlier this month, will run at Kempton on Friday, his trainer Guillaume Macaire has confirmed.

Japhet, whose 10-race winning sequence was halted by Frosty Canyon, puts his credentials for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase on the line in the three-mile Weekender Novice Chase.

‘‘The Pendil on Saturday is only two miles and a half and I prefer to exercise him over three miles,’’ said Macaire. ‘‘It is better for him before Cheltenham and he needs to run.’’

Macaire blamed Japhet’s defeat on lack of full fitness, but is convinced his five-year-old will be seen in a better light this time.

‘‘He was not ready at Newbury, he was blowing hard for one hour after the race,’’ said the trainer, who added he plans to runs Tempo D’Or in the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday.