Fehily to partner Kauto Star in King George
The talented rider has been called into the breach by Paul Nicholls since stable jockey Ruby Walsh suffered a double leg break at Down Royal at the start of the month.
Fehily partnered Master Minded, who like Kauto Star is owned by Clive Smith, to a facile victory at Ascot on Saturday, and has now been given the plum ride as Kauto Star chases an historic fifth consecutive win in the Kempton showpiece.
“Noel’s success aboard Master Minded on Saturday pretty much sealed the decision, ” said Nicholls.
Fehily said: “It’s absolutely brilliant to get a ride like that on a horse like that. He’s obviously a very good horse and I can’t wait – I’m really excited.”
Meanwhile, Imperial Commander is recovering well from the minor injury he suffered at Haydock on Saturday.
The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Cheltenham Gold Cup hero made a winning return to action in the Betfair Chase on Merseyside at the weekend, but returned to the winner’s enclosure with a cut to his leg.
Twiston-Davies remains optimistic Imperial Commander will be fit for the King George, but accepts the next seven days will be crucial.
“It just depends how quickly it heals.c Hopefully, in a week’s time, it’ll be all right. There’s nothing you can do, just keep it clean and give him antibiotics. “It’s 50-50.”
Tom Cooper is praying for a dry Christmas to allow Forpadydeplasterer show his true colours in the King George.
Since winning the 2009 Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham, the eight-year-old has remarkably filled the runner-up spot on seven consecutive occasions.
Cooper was disappointed he could only finish second to shock winner Gauvain at Cheltenham earlier this month, but he feels conditions were not in his favour and is now looking forward to a clash with Kauto Star.
“It was a bit disappointing he didn’t win the last day, but the ground is such a huge factor for him,” said Cooper. “The ground in Cheltenham was quite dead and he was bobbing up and down and changing his legs because he was never comfortable on it.
“I don’t think it was a lack of fitness that got him beat, it was purely down to the ground.
“It was disappointing to be beaten when you consider we beat Paul Nicholls’ horse (Tataniano), but that’s the way it goes and the King George is still the plan.
“We’ve beaten Sizing Europe and he was only beaten four lengths by Kauto Star, but I suppose Kauto Star would be a different kettle of fish at Kempton. We’ll see.”
