JIM DREAPER has confirmed his star chaser Merry Gale will make the line-up for the rerouted King George VI Tripleprint Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

However, as Merry Gale's participation was affirmed, the race lost another of its leading challengers as Dublin Flyer was ruled out of the race earlier yesterday. The frost has prevented trainer Tim Forster from giving his 10-year-old regular work.

The prohibitive cost of transporting Merry Gale from Co Dublin to Surrey had earlier left his bid for the £100,000 added chase - rescheduled for Sandown after both days of Kempton's Christmas programme had been wiped out by the weather - in the balance until yesterday's news.

"Everything seems to be in order now," said Dreaper. "A number of other horses, mainly broodmares, have appeared which will bring down the cost of transporting them to England.

Josh Gifford's Sun Alliance winner Brief Gale, a late withdrawal at Kempton on St Stephen's Day, will take her place in the line-up.