Warren Greatrex turns his attention to Kempton

Trainer Warren Greatrex has confirmed La Bague Au Roi will run at Kempton Park over Christmas as she tries to maintain her unbeaten record over fences.

The seven-year-old has been entered in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park over Christmas and connections are confident she can handle the step up in grade.

Greatrex will test his bay mare in the three-mile Grade One contest and a competitive field is expected once again this year.

La Bague Au Roi has looked a class above her rivals so far over fences, winning at Newbury on two occasions in November.

With a short break now nearly over, Greatrex is ready for the next challenge ahead of the Cheltenham Festival in 2019.

He told reporters: “The plan is to head to Kempton on Boxing Day. I suppose win, lose or draw we will see where we are.

“I think the track will suit her and we will learn a lot more after that whether she is up to that grade. “It looks like being a very hot race and almost as hot as the King George with the likes of Santini, Topofthegame and Count Meribel going there – they are a handful of the best novice chasers around this season.

“Her ratings put her right up there and she will get a mares’ allowance, which will help, but she will have to be on top of her game to win. “She jumped very well last time and it was a drop back in trip, which didn’t bother her.

“It is a shame Lostintranslation fell as it would have made it a proper race, although I think she would have taken some passing.”