New King George VI Chase favourite with some bookmakers after huge market move on Tuesday

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Fact To File has been given the green light to contest the King George VI Chase provided Willie Mullins is satisfied with his preparation in the coming days, setting up a potential rematch with Gaelic Warrior after their pulsating John Durkan battle last month.

Last season's sensational Ryanair Chase winner had been as big as 10-1 last week with sponsors Ladbrokes and available at 7-1 heading into Tuesday, but he was cut several times and is now 11-4 with that firm behind 2-1 joint-favourites Gaelic Warrior and Jango Baie. He is as short as 2-1 with other bookmakers, with bet365 making him outright favourite and William Hill, Paddy Power and Sky Bet among those unable to split Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File at the head of the market.

Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus, revealed on Wednesday morning that Fact To File is likely to take his chance at Kempton on December 26, rather than contest the Savills Chase at Leopardstown two days later.

The King George is one of the few major races the legendary owner has never landed and Fact To File could represent his best chance since First Gold was a beaten 2-1 favourite in 2001. Spillane's Tower was also a beaten favourite in the green and gold hoops last season.

Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin will fly the McManus flag in the Savills at Leopardstown, where he could lock horns with Galopin Des Champs again.

Berry, who also confirmed Honesty Policy will run for McManus in Saturday's Long Walk Hurdle, told the Racing Post on Wednesday morning: "We'll know a bit more after Fact To File works before the weekend, but if Willie's happy with him and his preparation then he'll probably go to Kempton. All is good with Inothewayurthinkin and Leopardstown is the plan with him."

The strength of the John Durkan Chase won by Gaelic Warrior (left) highlighted

Gaelic Warrior (left) and Fact To File fight it out over the last in the John DurkanCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

After landing the John Durkan on his reappearance last season, Fact To File chased home Galopin Des Champs in the Savills before finishing third behind the same rival in the Irish Gold Cup. Connections elected to drop him back in distance for the Ryanair at Cheltenham and he put in a phenomenal performance, barely coming off the bridle to record a nine-length success over Heart Wood.

The four-time Grade 1 winner reappeared again in last month's John Durkan when Gaelic Warrior got the better of a tremendous battle by a neck.

Owners Rich and Susannah Ricci have not won the King George but came agonisingly close ten years ago when Cue Card denied Vautour in an all-time classic, while the same owners' Royale Pagaille finished a more distant second to Bravemansgame three years ago.

Patrick Mullins, who won last season's Bowl at Aintree on the seven-year-old, thinks Kempton will suit Gaelic Warrior, although he did not dismiss the possibility of aiming for the Savills Chase at Leopardstown instead.

Speaking from Newbury, Mullins said: "They're both 100 per cent. I ride Gaelic Warrior at home and he's come out of the John Durkan every bit as well as he did going into it. From what we can see, they've both bounced out of the race. I think with Willie, anything is possible, but the King George looks the ideal race for them both.

Patrick Mullins became the first amateur rider to win the Bowl

Patrick Mullins knows Gaelic Warrior extremely well, with the pair winning the Bowl at Aintree last seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I wouldn't mind, however, seeing Gaelic Warrior at Leopardstown over three miles in the Savills Chase. I rode him there over two miles last season and thought he ran well.

"It's a dry track, but I just don't think he was quick enough at that trip. While his record there suggests he's not at his best, I wouldn't rule him out over three, but that's just my guess.

"They're two fantastic horses and you'd pinch yourself to have them. They're two fantastic races, and we'll have to see how everything is."

Mullins confirmed two-time Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs is on course to run at Christmas after missing his intended reappearance in the John Durkan. He said: "He's back going. He didn't miss a lot of time, so he'll be out at Christmas, but it'll be hard not having had a run.

"This season, more so than in previous years, we're gearing him towards March. If he's going to be able to get his crown back, he's probably got one more chance."

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Kempton, December 26)
Ladbrokes: 2 Gaelic Warrior, Jango Baie, 11-4 Fact To File, 5 The Jukebox Man, 8 Djelo, 12 Banbridge, 14 Il Est Francais, 20 bar.

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