PNicholls

It is obviously disappointing for horseracing that the Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander will not be lining up for the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.

But, as Nigel said at the HWPA Awards on Monday, he has clearly seen sense and lost his bottle. And I'm not surprised!!

On a more serious note, Kauto Star heads the five entries that I still have in the race after the recent forfeit stage, and he is fine.

And Noel was also fine after riding out at Charlie Mann's today, and he is at Ditcheat to school Kauto Star this week.

As for my other entries, Free World is the most unlikeliest runner at this stage but John Hales would like Noland to line up.

He hasn't raced since winning the John Durkan in 2008 and had a small setback a while ago, but is back working nicely again. So he is a possible if I can get him ready in time.

What A Friend could take in the Lexus but he certainly hasn't been ruled out of Kempton just yet.

The Nightingale is potentially very interesting if it came up very soft.

If the handicapper is correct, he is actually third best in at the weights here. Kauto Star is rated 190 and Albertas Run is in 168, and The Nightingale was raised to 167 after winning at Down Royal last month.

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