Racing: Mouse Morris has confirmed he is giving the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton serious consideration for War Of Attrition after walking the track.
The 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner's return from a two-year absence has to go down as a huge success having won twice and finished a creditable third in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.
He will step back up to three miles in either the King George or Leopardstown's Lexus Chase over the Christmas period.
Morris said: "I walked Kempton and the ground is goodish so he will definitely be confirmed for the race."
The trained went on: "The ground is the key to him and we'll just see which way the weather goes before deciding where to go."
"He seems in good form with himself at home and has been fine since Punchestown."
The nine-year-old is a best-priced 25-1 for Kempton's St Stephen's Day feature.
Enda Bolger's cross-country specialists and stablemates, Garde Champetre and L'Ami, could clash at Punchestown before returning to Cheltenham in March.
The duo gave owner JP McManus a one-two in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at the Prestbury Park venue on Friday.
They are both reported to have come out of the race in top condition and all roads are set to lead back to Gloucestershire for the Cross Country Chase on the opening day of the Festival, which Garde Champetre won last season.
"We were delighted with the pair of them," said the owner's racing manager, Frank Berry.
"They have both come out of the race in good form and we are looking forward to going back to the Festival with them. There's a race for them in Punchestown at the end of February and that's probably where they will go next."