Gerri Colombe has been backed into favouritism for the King George chase at Kempton on Boxing Day after Gordon Elliott hints all options remain open.

The Gordon Elliott-trained chaser was as big as 10/1 with Paddy Power this morning but now finds himself the 5/2 market leader with the same firm following sustained support on Monday afternoon.

A three-time Grade 1-winner as a novice last season, Gerri Colombe returned to the track when getting up close home to deny Envoi Allen in the Grade 1 Down Royal Champion Chase last month.

The County Meath-based trainer landed the Down Royal contest back in 2015 with Don Cossack, who went on to contest the King George on his next outing. Don Cossack was sent off the 15/8 favourite to gain King George glory that day but fell at the second last, leaving Cue Card to narrowly get the better of Vautour.

Speaking to the PA news agency on Monday, Elliott confirmed a decision would not be made until closer the time.

"Everything is still kind of up in the air and everything is open," said Elliott.

"We've got the King George, Leopardstown and the race at Cheltenham. There's no decision made, we will just wait to see what the ground is and make a decision nearer the time.

"We won't know for two weeks what we are doing."

The King George market received a significant shake-up over the weekend, with Bravemansgame returning the beaten favourite in the Betfair Chase at Haydock and Shishkin refusing to race in the 1965 Chase at Ascot.

Paul Nicholls' charge, who was suffering his second defeat of the season on Saturday, was subsequently eased to 11/4, while Shishkin is now a 5/1 chance for the Boxing Day feature.

The Robcour-owned Gerri Colombe only finds last year's Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs ahead of him in the betting for the Cheltenham Festival showpiece next March.

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: "With the main protagonists Shishkin and Bravemansgame both having questions to answer following the weekend, it's exciting to hear the news that Gordon Elliott could bring over Gerri Colombe for a tilt at the Boxing Day showpiece. He'll be a solid favourite on the day you'd imagine and the Robcour team could well land two major Grade 1 prizes here and in Ireland, with Bravemansgame's Charlie Hall conqueror Gentlemansgame expected to line up in the Savills Chase."