Mouse Morris has decided against letting War Of Attrition travel to Kempton for the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day and he will instead line up in Sunday's Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

The 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero has enjoyed a successful return following a two-year absence, scoring on his first two starts before a creditable third in the John Durkan at Punchestown.

Morris had been giving Kempton serious consideration after walking the track last week but has decided not to let his nine-year-old take on 2007 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star, who is seeking a third King George in a row.

He said: "We've decided to stay at home. Basically we are sticking to plan A and this [the Lexus] is the race he went for the year he won the Gold Cup, so hopefully we can follow that route again.

"He has to beat them wherever he goes so we've decided to go to Leopardstown.

"He ran really well in ground he didn't like at Punchestown last time and I would say he probably needed that run.

"Obviously he was fit, because he'd already had two runs, but mentally he needed it as it was the first time since he came back that he was running against real quality opposition. He wasn't fully wound up but I would say he's on track now."

King George betting (Coral): 5-4 Kauto Star, 7-2 Voy Por Ustedes, 7 Imperial Commander, 8 Air Force One, Our Vic, 12 bar.