Put The Kettle On all set for Altior showdown in Desert Orchid Chase

Arkle winner Put The Kettle On and leading King George VI Chase fancy Monalee are set to spearhead a rare raid by Henry de Bromhead on Kempton's two-day Christmas meeting.

Rachael Blackmore is expected to travel to Britain and maintain her partnership with Monalee, who will be the trainer's first runner in the Ladbrokes-sponsored showpiece on Boxing Day.

Put The Kettle On will be aimed at the Desert Orchid Chase the following day when she will be partnered by in-form jockey Aidan Coleman and is likely to encounter dual Champion Chase winner Altior for the first time.

King George card

Monalee finished fourth in the Gold Cup and was third at Thurles last month, when finishing behind Presenting Percy and Kemboy.

"Rachael's allowed to travel as it's a Grade 1 so it's highly likely she'll go, provided she passes all the necessary tests," said De Bromhead.

"We decided against sending Monalee to the King George last season but we thought if we didn't this time we never would. He ran well on his reappearance but took a bit of a blow so will come on for the run.

"He's rated 170 so he's as good as any of them in the field but in these big races the result often depends on who turns up on the day and how the race is run. It should be a good jumping test for him."

Put The Kettle On: winner of last season's Arkle under Aidan ColemanCredit: Edward Whitaker

The nine-year-old will become just the second horse to represent De Bromhead at the track after Special Tiara, who ran in the Desert Orchid Chase four times and won the race in 2014 and 2016.

The trainer also hopes to send Put The Kettle On to the Sunbury track after her success in the Grade 2 Shloer Chase at Cheltenham last month.

"I still need to confirm with the owners but we're aiming towards the Desert Orchid Chase," said De Bromhead. "We'd have preferred it if Altior had gone for the Tingle Creek but we'll see how we get on.

"She had a brilliant novice season and put in a great performance at Cheltenham last time. She seems to love the track and the long-term aim is to go back there for the Champion Chase at the festival."

It could be a busy day for De Bromhead, who is planning to take on short-priced favourite Chacun Pour Soi in the Paddy's Rewards Club Steeplechase (1.10) at Leopardstown with Notebook, a Grade 2 winner last time.

King George
Ladbrokes: 2 Clan Des Obeaux, Cyrname, 7 Monalee, 8 Lostintranslation, 14 Kemboy, 16 Allaho, Frodon, Real Steel, Waiting Patiently, 25 Simply The Betts, The Storyteller, Vinndication, 33 Melon, Saint Calvados, 40 Al Dancer, Black Op

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