Dessie Hughes hunts down glory in King George

Dual Grade 1-winning chaser Schindlers Hunt will bypass the Lexus Chase and is being primed for a clash with Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

The Irish raider was runner-up to Notre Pere in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup in April and trainer Dessie Hughes thinks that Kempton will suit him.

He said: "We were going to go for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown [28 December], but the ground is likely to be too testing for him there.

"If the ground is not too soft we'll go for the King George. It is not a stiff three miles round Kempton and the track should suit him."

Hughes also said that In Compliance is "in great form" as he bids to land Sunday's John Durcan Memorial Punchestown Chase for a second time, having won the Grade 1 event in 2006.

The nine-year-old looked back to his very best when victorious on his first start for almost two years at Thurles last month and Hughes said: "He's taken the race well."