Lady Cricket will bid to give Martin Pipe his first success in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, it was announced yesterday.

The champion trainer saddled Challenger Du Luc to finish second to See More Business in 1997. "Lady Cricket runs and 'AP' (Tony McCoy) will ride," Pipe said.

Bookmakers William Hill have cut Lady Cricket's price from 20-1 into 12-1.

Jonjo O'Neill has had to scrap plans for Legal Right, an easy winner at Ascot last Saturday, to make a quick reappearance in the King George, for which he had been quoted as short as 7-1 by Ladbrokes.

The trainer said: "Legal Right is okay today, there is nothing wrong with him and he is no lamer than he normally is.

"But the King George is coming a bit quick for him and he will not run. You can't be confident with a horse like him but the Gold Cup is still the aim.''

Pertemps KIng George VI Chase betting (William Hill): 11-10 See More Business (from 5-4), 9-4 First Gold (from 5-2), 9-2 Florida Pearl, 12-1 Beau, Edredon Bleu, Lady Cricket (from 20), 20-1 Go Ballistic, 33-1 Bellator, Direct Route, 40-1 Double Thriller, 50-1 Mulligan.

Shock Cheltenham winner Geos heads the 10 entries for the Pertemps Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Wednesday.

Nicky Henderson's five-year-old easily beat seven rivals in the Bonusprint Bula Hurdle at 14-1 last time to earn a crack at next week's Grade One event.

Possible rivals include Ashley Park, who finished fourth behind Istabraq in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle on only his second start over timber, Martin Pipe's Seebald and Irish challenger Sausalito Bay, a faller at Fairyhouse last time.

Hors La Loi III, runner-up in last season's Champion Hurdle, pulled up behind Geos last time and misses the Christmas Hurdle.

"We just need a bit more time with him," explained his trainer James Fanshawe.

"Nothing came to light after Cheltenham and he'll probably go for the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock or the Irish Champion. They are both round about the same time."

Ladbrokes today reported support for Hors La Loi III for the Champion Hurdle, cutting the five-year-old's odds to 16-1 from 20-1.

Last season's Champion Hurdle Pertemps Christmas Hurdle entries: Ashley Park, Bedawin, Bring Sweets, Geos, Master Beveled, Mister Morose, Phardante Flyer, Sausalito Bay, Seebald and Serenus.

Darryll Holland continued his rich vein of form in Singapore by completing a treble at Kranji yesterday.

He took the first two events on the card through Danswinner and Speedy Marco before scoring on Kim Wonder in a maiden race.

Holland, whose current stint began on December 2, has ridden 12 winners so far this month.

Arena Leisure has announced that Ian Renton has been appointed as their director of racing.

Renton, clerk of the course at Aintree, Salisbury and Wincanton, will take up duties on a part-time basis.

He is expected take charge on a permanent standing following the Martell Grand National in April next year.

Arena spokesman Ian Penrose said: "This is a very important appointment for Arena.

"This which will strengthen the overall operations of the group and we are delighted that Ian has agreed to join us."

Renton will head Arena's racecourse operations which will be run as a separate division within the group.