Kauto not out of King George picture

Kauto Star could have another run in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, should the superstar gelding stay in training.

The 12-year-old was last seen being pulled up in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March, having suffered a fall in training in the lead-up to the blue riband.

Trainer Paul Nicholls and owner Clive Smith have been keen to defer any decision about retirement until after the summer, and that remains the case after the five-times King George and dual Gold Cup winner paraded at the annual owners’ day at his Ditcheat base.