Riverside Theatre can upstage Long Run in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day Without Kauto Star, Paul Nicholls is relying on his great horse's half-brother, Kauto Stone. He has lived in his brother's considerable shadow but seemed much improved for his step up to three-milers for the first time at Down Royal earlier this season. If Nicholls has got him back to his best early French form, much of which was on the very soft at Auteuil, then it would be no surprise were the family name upheld. Cue Card would be a popular winner for the hard-working Tizzard family but he has yet to prove he gets three miles. He is second favourite on the back of a 26-length victory in the Haldon Gold Cup over 2¼ miles. Sir Des Champs has been kept in Ireland and a final decision on Grands Crus will be made today. David Pipe's horse has had a wind operation since pulling up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and if it has done the trick without interrupting his preparation too much he will be a threat while Sir Des Champs was unbeaten for Willie Mullins since coming over from France but he finally met his match in Flemenstar, the rising star of Irish racing, on his reappearance. The most likely winner in my book, however, will travel to the races with Long Run in the same lorry. Riverside Theatre was runner-up to his esteemed stablemate in this race two seasons ago and, although well beaten that day, Barry Geraghty insists he stayed the three miles well. The only question mark is the ground. The Ryanair winner, owned in partnership by Hobbit actor James Nesbitt, Riverside Theatre is best fresh and has been trained for the race by Henderson. The most likely mount of Barry Geraghty, he worked very well at Kempton with smart hurdlers Grandouet and Darlan at the start of this month. "He's in very, very good form," said Henderson yesterday. The trainer went on to explain that, after consulting owner Michael Buckley, he would not be declaring Champion Chaser Finian's Rainbow for the race today. "I thought the race was made for him after he won at Aintree in the spring," he said. But he categorically showed us at Ascot last time that he doesn't want soft ground. It's a blow because its been the plan all along.