King George VI Chase first festive option for Don Cossack

Kempton’s King George VI Chase remains a “first preference” Christmas target for Don Cossack but Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown Stud team insist they are keeping festive options firmly open for their powerful string of Gold Cup contenders.

Don Cossack is the highest-rated steeplechaser in both Britain and Ireland and is currently a general 11-4 favourite to win an eagerly-anticipated King George clash with the Willie Mullins-trained star, Vautour.

However he is also among a handful of Gigginstown entries, also including Road To Riches, Don Poli and Sir Des Champs, for Leopardstown’s Lexus Chase two days afterwards.

“Kempton is Don Cossack’s first preference but we are going to keep our options open,” said Eddie O’Leary, the Ryanair boss’s brother and bloodstock adviser.

Start coughing

“It’s only sensible. What happens next week if horses start coughing, you wouldn’t know what might happen, so we’ll leave everything open for the moment,” he added.

The O’Leary-owned Don Poli currently tops the Lexus betting at 5-2 while the 2014 winner Road To Riches is also in contention to defend his title. It is still possible the current Gold Cup holder Coneygree may bypass Kempton and take on some of the best here on their home turf.

One definite Gigginstown plan however is that the Fighting Fifth winner Identity Thief will line up in the Grade One Ryanair Hurdle on the final day of Leopardstown.

“He’s earned his shot at the race, and to take on some of Willie’s in a Champion Hurdle trial. He is going well so will run at Christmas,” O’Leary said.

Another Gigginstown Grade One hopeful will be the Hatton’s Grace runner-up Alpha Des Obeaux who will target the Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle on Day Three of Leopardstown.

“He ran well in the Hatton’s Grace and will stay over hurdles this season. He will go for the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown and is crying out for three miles,” said trainer, Mouse Morris.