Rain could be the bar to Senor El Betrutti's attempt to complete a remarkable treble, according to the grey's permit holder Susan Nock.

Senor El Betrutti is due to go to post for the Pertemps King George VI chase on St Stephen's Day following impressive wins in the Murphy's Gold Cup and Tripleprint Gold Cup.

But having been described by his handler as "hopeless" on soft going, all eyes in the Nock household will be aiming skywards over the festive season.

"The horse is absolutely jumping out of his skin," announced Nock. "But now we've got the rain. He just can't run in the soft - hopeless, he'd rather run on the M25!"