Long Run heads the King George VI at Kempton but huge support for Kauto Star
With Christmas break now in place, the next day the UK will host racing will be Boxing Day when all eyes descend upon Kempton and the King George VI Chase.
Kauto Star will be angling for a fifth win in the race. With four consecutive wins in 2006/7/8/9, he had to settle for a third place finish behind Long Run in last year’s renewal which was delayed by the weather and didn’t take place until the 15th January.
Paul Nichols' superstar has seen huge support in this market since winning the Betfair Chase at Haydock, beating Long Run into second by eight lengths and he has shortened up to 3/1 with Bet365. It has been forecast that he could go off as short as 2/1 or even lower come the day as the betting opens on the day and the fans pile in for him to regain his crown. He is reported as being in the form of his life, and far better than he was last season and who would doubt that he could turn in yet another amazing performance on this course.
Long Run, last years winner and subsequent winning favourite for the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, will be present to defend his crown. He is 5/4 to win for a second successive season for Nicky Henderson, and remains favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup too. There is no doubt that the youngster is a top class performer and as a 6yo should have more improvement to show, which is frightening based on what he has already achieved.
All the talk is about these two but there are others in the race. Kauto Star’s stable mate and Champion Chaser Master Minded (6/1) will be lining up. He has returned to great form and won the Amlin 1965 Chase at Sandown in great style. He is probably better than the 7/1 he is available for, although he is yet to run this far or indeed at Kempton. Who knows what he will do?
Captain Chris (7/1) is another that has been touted for this race for some time. Again, he is untested at the trip although does have winning form on the course over 2m4f. These fences will be a test after unseating Johnson in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter last time out.
Somersby and Diamond Harry add to the quality of entries for this race, even if the quantity amounts to just eight runners. Both are supremely talented jumpers. The former swerved defending his Hennessey title and looked outclassed or at least in need of the run in the Betfair Chase, he should be better today and can be considered as an Ew bet, his price of 16/1 allows that if all eight entries stand. Somersby (12/1) has been held by Master Minded this season, and finished second to Gauvain last time out. He does look a stayer to me though and the step up may be overdue.