Sizing Europe stays at home

Sizing Europe will miss the rearranged William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Saturday.

Connections of the 2010 Arkle Trophy winner have decided against sending the Irish-trained nine-year-old over to England for the second time in three weeks after he made a wasted journey for the abandoned Christmas meeting.

Instead, trainer Henry de Bromhead will attempt to give Sizing Europe a run before Cheltenham nearer home.

"After careful consideration we've decided to bypass the rearranged King George," said De Bromhead.

"He's in great form at home so what we'll do now is sit down and look at our options here over the next three to four weeks with a view to a run prior to the (Cheltenham) Festival in March."

Sizing Europe put up a pleasing effort over three miles when second to Kauto Star in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal in November, and his conqueror is seeking a record fifth successive victory in Kempton's feature.

The three-week delay and the forecast softer ground conditions will play to Kauto Star's strengths, according to his trainer Paul Nicholls.

"Obviously the race being delayed is a setback, different horses will be different but it doesn't appear to have made any difference to Kauto Star because he likes to be really fresh and well and you don't have to murder him in his work," the Ditcheat handler said.

"He had a nice little break for a week after the day it was due to be run. He still cantered every day, we have just picked him up quietly and he's in really good form. It doesn't seem to have affected him at all.

"He was in good order when he won at Down Royal and he's improved a lot for that run."

Tom George's Nacarat paid the price for trying to live with Kauto Star in last year's race and faded into fourth.

"We've been delighted with him. He did his last piece of work this morning and I couldn't have him any better, in my opinion," said the Slad trainer. "We can't actually beat Kauto Star if he turns up in the same sort of form that he turned up in last year, and nothing else will beat him either."

Nicky Henderson has grave concerns that the likely soft going will be against his Riverside Theatre. He said: "He's in great form and, on good ground, I would be really keen."