Imperial Call has been given the green light in a bid to end Ireland's long lean spell in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.
The last Irish-trained horse to lift the three-mile Christmas spectacular was Captain Christy, the winner in 1974 and 1975.
The 1996 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner's trainer Raymond Hurley said that the nine-year-old is an intended runner and would fly over from Cork on Christmas Eve morning.
"The going at Kempton is soft, I understand," said Hurley. "And this suits us. I would only change my mind if, for some reason, the ground dried out but this is unlikely."
Hurley still has an open mind on choice of jockeys. He is hoping to sign up either Richard Dunwoody or Tony McCoy depending on availability. Teeton Mill has been the subject of some strong support to land the Kempton race. The Tote in Britain yesterday cut the nine-year-old from 9 to 2 to 100 to 30 and Coral also trimmed his price, now offering 3 to 1 from 7 to 2.
The grey's trainer Venetia Williams said yesterday: "Teeton Mill is fine and ready for Kempton and, within reason, won't mind what the ground is."
See More Business remains the favourite, in his bid for a repeat win in the race. "He's on track for Kempton," reported trainer Paul Nicholls. "He's in good nick and I'm very happy with him."
See More Business defeated Challenger du Luc by two lengths last year after landing the Rehearsal Chase and has taken the same route this time, having comfortably defeated Dom Samourai by one and a quarter lengths in the Chepstow contest earlier this month.
The eight-year-old also holds an engagement in the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown two days later but Nicholls reassured his Kempton punters, saying: "He's in at Leopardstown for insurance purposes.
"But I am very pleased with the horse's preparation and, touch wood, everything seems to be fine."
Challenger du Luc is set to reoppose See More Business.
"He could be my only runner in the race as Cyborgo is still in it but the race is likely to come a bit quick for him as he had his first run since being pulled up in last season's Gold Cup at Ascot yesterday," said trainer Martin Pipe yesterday.
Kempton specialist Super Tactics is ready for his stiffest task so far when Robert Alner's 10-yearold lines up for the mid-season championship. Super Tactics has won five times at the course, including a fine victory in last season's Racing Post Chase.
A certain Paul Nicholls runner at Leopardstown is Calling Wild, who bids for the Paddy Power Chase on Sunday.
"The Paddy Power fits in well with our plans as Joe (Tizzard) can go across to ride Calling Wild on the Sunday after Kempton," said Nicholls.
