Gold Cup winner Sizing John has been ruled out of making an appearance at the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.

He returned to the track in the weekend with an impressive win at Punchestown, when beating Djakadam in the John Durkan.

Trainer Jessica Harrington said: “All being well, if he runs anywhere at Christmas it’ll be at Leopardstown. It’s only 16 days between his last run and Kempton. He was grand this morning, and we’ll see how he is in the next week.”

Having talked to the Pott’s Family it has been decided Sizing John will not be making a visit to @kemptonparkrace for the King George pic.twitter.com/l4F10OrNYQ

— Jessica Harrington (@Jessica_Racing) December 12, 2017

Despite Sizing John missing  out, the King George still looks like being a star-studded affair.

Colin Tizzard looks set to field his trio of Cue Card, Fox Norton and Thistlecrack, whilst Betfair Chase winner Bristol De Mai is in the mix as he looks for the Triple Crown – although the favourite for the clash is Nicky Henderson’s star performer Might Bite.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “With Sizing John out of the King George, Fox Norton looks more likely to run now given they’ve the same owners so we have clipped his odds. However, the main gamble came last night, when a shop punter placed a hefty sum on Thistlecrack.”