JIM DREAPER yesterday hoped to have solved his King George VI Tripleprint Chase transport problem by securing a berth for Merry Gale on one of the regular flights that transports horses between this country and Britain.

The prospect of another expensive return trip to Britain - and no financial assistance from the hosts - for Saturday's re scheduled race at Sandown threatened to rob the contest of one of its main contenders.

But Dreaper is optimistic that other horses can be found to fill the aircraft and reduce the considerable costs incurred on a fruitless trip to Kempton at Christmas.

"We want to go and we intend to go as long was we can organise the transport. We are working on the course but we think we can get financial assistance even in the form of other horses sharing the transport costs," he said yesterday.

"The plane costs x number of pounds and the problem at Kempton was there was only ourselves and Montelado to fill it.

"As far as I know there are no other Irish runners in England this weekend. But broodmares and others horses are moving across all the time and we hope the transport company can organise such a flight to fit in with us.

"There is no definite word about restaging the Ericsson Chase but I would rather not hang around. Graham Bradley has not had a ride on Merry Gale yet this season. We need to get them into action."

Merry Gale drifted a point out to 11 to 2 with Ladbrokes but is 5 to 1 (from 6-1) with the Tote.

Bradley was among the possible replacements for Jamie Osborne, who rides Coulton, for Master Oats but trainer Kim Bailey is in no hurry to select a jockey for either the Gold Cup winner or Book Of Music.

"I've not even thought about it yet. At present I am sitting on the fence. It's a question of one or two riders who may become available," he said.

Favourite One Man (out to 9-4 from 2-1 with the Tote) is among the possible defectors if the ground became heavy but Sandown clerk of the course Andrew Cooper dismissed such a prospect.