Kauto Star wins King George Chase

Kauto Star secured a magnificent third consecutive Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Paul Nicholls’ brilliant chaser atoned for a recent blip at Haydock to rack up his 10th Grade One victory.

Albertas Run stayed on for second, while Voy Por Ustedes was third.

Nicholls said: ``I wish some people would give him the respect he deserves.

“I’m so pleased for the horse, not anyone else, just him.

“I wish I hadn’t run him last time at Haydock – it was not Sam Thomas’ finest hour but we knew we had him back.

“When he’s right, he’s a very good horse.

“He definitely won’t run before the Gold Cup and I can safely say he will only have the one run next year before the King George.”

Lucky owner Clive Smith was understandably delighted: ``Ruby said they went too fast early on so he just hung back before he made his effort in the last half-mile.

“You need pace to lay up with them though and undoubtedly he was on top form today.

“He was as stylish as he has ever been and now we can all look forward to the rest of the season.

“I didn’t back him today, I’d backed him a few days ago and the prize money is enough."

Jonjo O'Neill expressed his satisfaction at the performance of Albertas Run.

“We’re thrilled to bits with that,” he said. “We knew the ground gave him a chance – it’s just a shame the other horse (Kauto Star) is a flying machine.

“We’ll probably give him a run at Cheltenham as he stays well and he likes that track.”

Alan King said of Voy Por Ustedes: “Choc (Robert Thornton) just felt he got outstayed for second.

“We’re likely to drop him back in trip now.

“The Ryanair looks the likely option but if something happened to Master Minded, we could run in the Queen Mother.”