Gale can take to the air for King George

Jim Dreaper believes he can solve the transportation problems that had threatened the participation of Merry Gale in Saturday's King George VI Chase by securing a berth on one of the regular flights that transports breeding stock between Ireland and Britain.

The prospect of another expensive return trip to Britain - and no financial assistance from the host course - had threatened to rob the contest of one of its main contenders.

One Man is a possible defector if the ground is heavy but Sandown's clerk of the course, Andrew Cooper, dismissed such a prospect yesterday.

n Today's meeting at Musselburgh (Edinburgh) has been abandoned due to frost.