SOUND MAN is likely to miss next week's King George VI Chase at Kempton despite being among yesterday's 11 acceptors for the St Stephen's Day feature.
His trainer Edward O'Grady is set to aim the top two-miler at the Comet Chase at Ascot in February instead. "I would say that Sound Man is an unlikely runner in the King George. He is in great form but he will go now for the Comet Chase at Ascot on February 5th and probably won't run again before then," said O'Grady yesterday.
There were no surprises among the five withdrawals for next week's Grade One contest, namely Challenger du Luc, Crystal Spirit, Kadi, Suny Bay and Double Symphony.
But Jenny Pitman has left in Nahthen Lad despite the Sun Alliance Chase winner's poor effort over hurdles at Bangor on Wednesday.
Bookmakers William Hill have taken Sound Man out of their betting but Ladbrokes quote the Irish chaser at 6 to 1 with a run. Hills have trimmed One Man into 8 to 13.
