Drying ground may see Corbetts Cross not run in King George VI Chase at Kempton - Emmet Mullins

Emmet Mullins has warned that Corbetts Cross may not run in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase if the ground continues to dry out.

Any forecast rain is likely to be minimal and unlikely to have any lasting effect on the ground at Kempton Park on Stephen's Day.

The ground was described as good, good to soft in places on Monday - and should it dry out any further, Mullins may be forced to think twice about running his JP McManus-owned Cheltenham Festival winner.

"I'm very excited, he'll be a first runner in the King George for me, so it will be a big day," said Mullins, speaking on a press call organised by the Jockey Club.

"With Mr McManus having Fact To File for the Leopardstown race, I think he just wanted to cover his options and spread them out a bit (over Christmas).

"I thought his first run was satisfactory, the same horse (Heart Wood) beat him on his comeback last year as well. We've had a good enough prep and we're nearly there now."

However, when asked if the possibility of good ground was a concern, Mullins said: "Very much so. With these 17 hands chasers, you don't want them running on good ground.

"At the Cheltenham Festival, everyone seems on board with getting it started on good to soft ground. I'd be very worried about good ground. Especially given the facilities there with the lake, there doesn't seem to be any sign of any watering.

"There's a chance he might not run, we have a championship chaser and they are not designed to run on good ground.

"Good to soft would be OK but it's tightening up already and I see there's no rain in the forecast for the next few days, so that will be a worry and I think it's going the opposite way."

Reflecting on his season to date, Mullins said: "He wasn't fully wound up at Wexford