Yanworth is likely to sidestep Saturday’s stanjames.com International Hurdle in favour of the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
The six-year-old enjoyed a superb run of form last season after switching to obstacles and, after four straight wins, finished second behind Yorkhill in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
The son of Norse Dancer re-emerged this season with a triumph in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot last month, after which connections considered a step up to three miles.
However, the gelding will run over two miles on Boxing Day after trainer Alan King revealed that he would not be racing at Prestbury Park this weekend.
“I don’t think he runs (on Saturday) – he’s in there as a back-up and I think My Tent Or Yours goes there,” he told At The Races.
“If My Tent Or Yours didn’t go for any reason then he might come back into the equation, but I’m under the impression at the moment that’s the way it’s going to go.
“It could be we’ll wait for the Christmas Hurdle with Yanworth. He’s in good form and worked this morning, but plans have changed somewhat.”
