Express presented with Christmas challenge

Presenting Express will look to bounce back from a disappointing showing in the Hennessy Gold Cup when he turns out at Kempton over Christmas.

The seven-year-old has won six of his last nine starts and, after starting his winning spree off a mark of 80, found himself in the Hennessy racing off 137.

However, the elements conspired against him that day as the good-ground performer was all at sea in the soft conditions and subsequently pulled up.

“He has been absolutely fine since the Hennessy,” said trainer Emma Lavelle.

“He’s in good order but, even though he had an entry in the King George, we decided against it and he will run in a handicap (stanjamesuk.com) a day later.

“It’s an 0-135 and as long as we get decent ground, which is key, he will probably go there.

“He has to have his ground though and if we don’t get that we may give him a break and have a spring campaign with him.”