Irish trainer Henry De Bromhead may find out today if Monalee will be allowed to travel to and from Kempton to run in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.
The Irish Government imposed a 48-hour ban on travel from Britain to Ireland last Sunday, following the Tier 4 announcements in the UK, but that will be reviewed at today’s Cabinet meeting.
Monalee, a best-priced 7-1 shot for the race, was due to be ridden by Rachael Blackmore.
De Bromhead was also hoping to run Put The Kettle On in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton on Sunday.
“I don’t know what is happening yet, but we’re aiming to come over,” said the Co. Waterford trainer.
“We’re waiting to hear from Horse Racing Ireland. Once we can comply with all the protocol etc, we hope to be running.
“What I also want to find out is about coming back. All of my horses will travel on the ferry.”
Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, hopes the travel ban will not be extended.
But he said yesterday: “If the King George was run tomorrow, I don’t think Monalee will be there with Rachael riding,
but that may change.
“However, we have been able to move horses through the height of lockdown in both countries as it’s been deemed low risk.”
Last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Santini was yesterday supplemented for the King George and is 11-2 third favourite behind the Paul Nicholls-trained pair Clan Des Obeaux and Cyrname.
Nicky Henderson’s charge, who was also runner-up in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree this month, is expected to return to Cheltenham next month to defend his Cotswold Chase crown.
However, Henderson said: “We didn’t put him in originally because we don’t think Kempton will be his ideal track — but he’s very well in himself, and there’s nothing else to do.”
