Star tops George entries

Kauto Star is all set to seek an historic fifth successive victory in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on December 26.

The Paul Nicholls-trained jumping ace equalled Desert Orchid’s total of four victories in the £200,000 (€233,000) three-mile feature last Christmas but is unlikely to be handed the race on a plate.

The 10-year-old, who made a successful reappearance in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday, has been installed 7-4 favourite with the sponsors after 30 entries were revealed.

They include last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup hero, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Imperial Commander, who was just pipped by Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last November.

Kauto Star’s stablemate What A Friend, part-owned by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, is among a five-strong entry from the Nicholls stable.

Nicky Henderson also has five possibles including Long Run, who returns to action in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday, Riverside Theatre, owned by actor James Nesbitt, and Punchestowns.

The Philip Hobbs-trained Planet Of Sound, Ian Williams’ Weird Al and Tom George’s Charlie Hall Chase victor Nacarat are other classy performers in the list.

Nine Irish-trained possibles include Henry de Bromhead’s Sizing Europe, who was second to Kauto Star at the weekend, and Tom Cooper’s Queen Mother Champion Chase runner-up Forpadydeplasterer.

“It’s clear that Kauto Star will face a stern test if he is to win the King George VI Chase for a fifth successive time,” said Kempton’s director of racing Brian Clifford.

“The clock is now counting down to one of the most eagerly anticipated horse races in many a year.”

William Hill King George VI Chase, sponsors bet: 7-4 Kauto Star, 5-1 Long Run, 8-1 Imperial Commander, 10-1 What A Friend, 12-1 Nacarat, Planet Of Sound, 14-1 Punchestowns, Sizing Europe, 16-1 Albertas Run, Cooldine, Forpadydeplasterer, 20-1 bar.