High-class entry for Christmas hurdle

Last year’s winner Intersky Falcon heads 13 entries for the Jobs At Pertemps City Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.

The Jonjo O’Neill-trained gelding, owned by a syndicate that includes Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer, defeated Santenay by three lengths in the Grade One contest 12 months ago.

He did, however, disappoint last time when only third to The French Furze in the “Fighting Fifth” Hurdle at Newcastle in November.

Another horse hoping to improve on his latest start is the Smurfit Champion Hurdle winner, the Philip Hobbs-trained Rooster Booster, who was only fifth to Rigmarole in the Tote Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham last Saturday.

Rigmarole has been entered after not being declared for tomorrow’s Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot, but his trainer Paul Nicholls has also put in Sporazene.

Nicky Henderson is hoping that Geos can make it to Kempton.

“I’m going to work Geos tomorrow as we would like to run him in the Christmas Hurdle. He had to miss the Bula because he was a bit sore behind,” said the Seven Barrows trainer.