SNOOPY LOOPY is suffering no side-effects as his busy season continues in the Stan James King George VI Chase on St Stephen's Day.
Trainer Peter Bowen is trying to capture the Order of Merit and Snoopy Loopy has established a clear lead with wins in the Betfair Chase and thoroughly respectable places in the Hennessy Gold Cup and most recently, the Peterborough Chase.
His form prompted Bowen to supplement for the Kempton highlight at a cost of €10,600, and the Welshman reported: "He did three canters on Saturday with our amateur, Donal Devereux, and worked really well so all is on target at the moment.
"This morning (wife) Karen rode him and said he was on great form." Conditions were drying slightly at the King George venue yesterday and clerk of the course Brian Clifford said: "We have a good cover of grass and the chase course is good, while the hurdles course is good, good to soft in places.
"I will have to have a meeting with staff on Christmas Eve about covers but from the forecasts I have received today, we should not have to do anything - although the take-off and landing sides of the fences will be covered as a precaution."
Meanwhile, Andrew Thornton is keen to again play his part in keeping up the spirits of the Alner family as he prepares for the defence of Miko de Beauchene's Coral Welsh National title.
Racing matters were trivialised by the serious nature of the injuries sustained by trainer Robert Alner in a car accident 13 months ago and he was in a critical condition in hospital when Thornton and Miko de Beauchene edged out Halcon Generlardais last Christmas. Alner's progress remains gradual.
Miko de Beauchene will have to run off a handicap mark 17lb higher than last year
WELSH NATIONAL (Coral bet): 11-2 Nenuphar Collonges, 6-1 Mon Mome, 9-1 Halcon Genelardais, High Chimes, Notre Pere, 10-1 Miko De Beauchene, Officier De Reserve, 12-1 Joe Lively, 14-1 Gypsy George, Kings Euro, 16-1 Beat The Boys, 20-1 Darkness, Nozic, 25-1 Cornish Sett, Hold The Pin, L'Aventure, Sea Diva, 33-1 bar.
