Flow on course for Feltham

Strong Flow looks likely to miss the Pertemps King George VI Chase on Boxing Day in favour of a tilt at the Feltham Novices’ Chase on the same card.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has confirmed the novice event at Kempton is the Hennessy winner’s target while stablemate Le Roi Miguel is likely to run in the showpiece race.

Le Roi Miguel, whose last race was in the Tingle Creek Trophy over two miles, would be stepping up to three miles for the first time unless the ground becomes testing.

Nicholls told the Racing Post: “Le Roi Miguel is an intended runner. He may just be behind the very best over two miles and he looked like he wanted further when he ran at Sandown last time. His owner Andy Stewart is quite keen to run.

“Both he and Strong Flow will be left in the King George at the five-day stage but Strong Flow goes for the Feltham – only if it poured with rain and became testing would there be a rethink.

“We would want it soft and some of the others not to run for him to take his chance and Le Roi Miguel wouldn’t want it very testing.”