Attrition ruled out of George

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition will be campaigned in Ireland for the first half of the season.

The Mouse Morris-trained seven-year-old will be aimed at Leopardstown’s Lexus Chase over Christmas and may not even be entered for the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Morris told the Racing Post: “War Of Attrition will start off at Punchestown on October 19 in the two-mile-six-furlong Listed Chase he won last year.

“He could then go for the James Nicholson Chase at Down Royal, but his big target over the Christmas period is the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

“He’s done well over the summer, thickened up and virtually turned inside out, but he won’t even be entered for Kempton so the King George is not on the agenda.”