Nicholls team ponder King George plans

PAUL NICHOLLS and Clive Smith are weighing up their options for the King George VI Chase at Kempton after both Kauto Star and Master Minded staked their claims for the Stephen’s Day highlight with victories on Saturday.

Many had written off Kauto Star after he was pulled up at Punchestown at the end of last season having been left chasing Long Run’s shadow on a couple of occasions.

But the 11-year-old silenced any doubters by giving his younger rival a good beating in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday and Nicholls believes he has earned the right to bid for a remarkable fifth win in the King George.