Weird Al to swerve King George

Weird Al will not run in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on December 26.

Trainer Donald McCain has opted to keep his star turn on ice, and instead chart a route towards further gains in the spring.

The eight-year-old gelding was last seen finishing third behind Kauto Star and Long Run in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, having previously won the Charlie Hall at Wetherby on his seasonal debut.

McCain said: “He’s fine – there are no issues – we only left him in for another stage (of the King George) as a precaution.

“We’d planned all along to wait and sit tight with him until the spring.”