MOUSE MORRIS has decided against letting War Of Attrition travel to Kempton for the King George VI Chase and he will instead line up in Sunday's Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

The 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero has enjoyed a successful return following a two-year absence, scoring on his first two starts before running a creditable third in the John Durkan at Punchestown.

Morris had been giving Kempton's St Stephen's Day feature serious consideration after walking the track last week but he has decided to chase another Grade One prize closer to home.

"We've decided we're going to stay at home," said the Tipperary handler. "The ground is just soft at the moment rather than heavy and the forecast is good so we are taking our chance that is correct.

"Basically we are sticking to plan A and this is the race he went for the year he won the Gold Cup so hopefully, we can follow that route again. It was six of one and half a dozen of the other and he has to beat them wherever he goes so we've decided to go to Leopardstown."

Davy Fitzgerald has also decided to keep Operation Houdini at home on Saturday for the Paddy Power Chase rather than contesting the Coral Welsh National.

Luck has not been with the gelding this season as he was disqualified and placed second in the Cork Grand National and finished in the same position in the Troytown Handicap Chase.

The sponsors of the Leopardstown event have trimmed him into 10 to 1 favourite from 12 to 1. Fitzgerald reported: "We've ruled out Chepstow and we're going to Leopardstown. I couldn't be happier with the horse and everything has gone to plan. He's fit, well and healthy and will take his chance. It's still a few days away and I wish it was sooner rather than later."

Reflecting on the decision, he added: "The Paddy Power is a valuable pot, we don't have to travel and he has a nice racing weight.

"The English handicapper has him off a mark 5lb higher than in Ireland. My one worry is that he wants further than three miles and a bigger test of stamina, but the Paddy Power is competitive and they go a good gallop."

Gordon Elliott is confident Tharawaat will prove difficult to beat as he steps up to Grade One company for the first time in the Durkan New Homes Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day. The former Barry Hills inmate was beaten into second on his hurdling debut but has not looked back since, recording two effortless successes, the latest of which came in Grade Three company at Fairyhouse.

"He is improving all the time and if I'm honest, I think he is even sharper now than he was at Fairyhouse," Elliott said.