IF YOU are following an equine star this Christmas there is only one place to be and that is Kempton on Boxing Day.
A galaxy of them line up for the William Hill King George VI Chase, with the biggest star of all, Kauto Star, attempting an unprecedented fifth victory in this festive spectacular. His fan club will raise the roof if he succeeds.
He still has the class to see him through and a repetition of his brilliant and emotional Haydock win last month will make him hard to beat.
Many felt Kauto Star’s best days were over until he produced one of the best performances of his long and illustrious career and landed the prize for a fourth time.
His trainer Paul Nicholls had revealed beforehand that Kauto Star had been trained with the race in mind and was ready to run for his life.
He was right. Now the big question is whether there is another big race left in him as he approaches his 12th birthday.
Given a positive ride at Haydock, his jumping was a delight to watch, and he produced a great leap at the last to seal it. His nearest pursuer was Long Run, eight lengths adrift.
As was the case last year, Long Run had suffered defeat on his seasonal debut, but it wasn’t the end of the world, just the beginning as he proceeded to win the King George and claim the Cheltenham Gold Cup on his only other appearances.
When the pair met at Kempton in mid-January after the King George had been rearranged following the abandonment of the Christmas meeting through frost and snow, Kauto Star was not at his brilliant best and his younger opponent left him trailing in third.
Kauto Star’s superior jumping made all the difference at Haydock and, typical of many ex-French horses, Long Run has taken plenty of time to adapt to the British-style fences.
Not for the first time he has had remedial sessions with jumping guru Yogi Breisner and reported to have excelled.
He has time on his side and possesses a real engine. Much as I would like to share in another piece of racing history if Kauto Star wins, I am not allowing the heart to rule the head and, in the end, I believe the younger legs of Long Run will serve him well and see him home ahead of his rivals.
Master Minded, a stablemate of Kauto Star, is one of the best chasers around between two and two and half miles. He tackles three miles for the first time and he may not last home.
On the other hand, the step up in trip is what Somersby has been crying out for, according to trainer Henrietta Knight, but I fancy he will still fall short of what is required.
Captain Chris is another who may struggle through inexperience that this level, while it’s hard to see Diamond Harry reversing Haydock form with Kauto Star or Long Run. James Reveley, who was appointed first-choice jockey by Nick Williams at the start of the season, has surprisingly rejected the ride on Diamond Harry, preferring to stay nearer home to partner Always Right in the Betfair Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby.
Whatever the reasons behind the jockey’s decision, it could be a pointer to the claims of the progressive Always Right, third in last season’s Scottish National, who scored at Kelso over an inadequate trip on his reappearance. He is the apple of the eye of owner-trainer John Wade and more is expected.
However, my idea of the winner is Knockara Beau. George Charlton has always said there is a big prize to be won with him and I think this could be it.
He is a class act on his day and, while a few jumping issues have arisen, he did little wrong when finishing strongly behind Shakalakaboomboom at Cheltenham and is well treated off a mark of 143.
Although My Arch was fortunate to beat Simonside over the course in early December after his rival had made an untidy jump at the last flight, I have good reason for thinking the placings will be confirmed when they clash again in the Better Prices On Betfair Mobile Handicap Hurdle.
