Kauto’s Star shines brightest of all

CHRISTMAS stories of shining stars will have been told the world over in recent days and racegoers at Kempton Park were treated to a sight of the real thing as Kauto Star lived up to his billing in the Stan James King George VI Chase yesterday.

The anticipation of the six-year-old’s assault on the famous festive prize had tempered the chill in the air, with Paul Nicholls’ exciting youngster locking horns with the up-and-coming Monet’s Garden and Racing Demon in front of packed stands. But neither could live with the Ruby Walsh-ridden 8-13 favourite as he survived horrendous mistakes at both the fourth and last fences to see off Exotic Dancer (9-1) by eight lengths, with Racing Demon one-and-a-quarter lengths back in third.

The triumph took the Clive Smith-owned Kauto Star’s unbeaten stretch in top company to three and the bookmakers make him a short-priced favourite to extend that to four in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.