Kauto camp play waiting game

A decision on Kauto Star’s participation in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton could be made as late as a week before the December 26 feature.

The dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner cast aside fears of his alleged demise with a remarkable success in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month.

Trainer Paul Nicholls and owner Clive Smith are now tasked with the decision of targeting the outstanding 11-year-old gelding at an unprecedented fifth victory in the King George.

Smith told the Guardian: “We’ve always said that he’s in great shape after Haydock, and he’s surprisingly good just a week and a half afterwards.

“But then he’s always been a very exceptional horse for getting fresh again after a race.

“We just want to take our time and see how he is, and we probably won’t make up our minds until a week or so before the race.

“We don’t want to say yes now, and then have him run flat.”