ALAN King is to give Balder Succes a break following his disappointing run in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

The five-year-old was well fancied for the Grade One after impressing in his short chase career to date, but only beat one home when fifth of six behind Hinterland and that horse was his stablemate Manyriverstocross.

"Balder Succes did not travel with his usual flair in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown, and, though he was pitched into what was a good race, I would have expected him to jump and travel better than he did," the Barbury Castle trainer told www.alankingracing.co.uk.

"The omens did not look good from an early stage, and he met all the three railway fences on the wrong stride, which certainly didn't help.

"The plan is now to give Balder Succes a short break and hopefully he'll show us his real form again in the new year, because that was definitely not him at Sandown.

"Manyriverstocross ran in the same race, but, though he jumped well, he was always flat out over the two miles and I am sure he will benefit from a step up in trip. He stayed well over hurdles, so we'll look for a two-and-a-half-mile race next."

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