Kauto Star makes history with fifth King George

Report: Kempton, Monday

William Hill King George VI Chase (Grade 1) 3m, 4yo+

KAUTO STAR produced another extraordinary performance as he powered up the Kempton straight to notch an unprecedented fifth King George under Ruby Walsh.

Clive Smith’s 11-year-old jumped beautifully throughout and had his main rivals hard at work as he turned into familiar territory but was forced to dig deep to fend off the tenacious challenge from even-money favourite Long Run.

An exemplary leap at the last, one of many throughout his round, regained his crown and he crossed the line with an animated Walsh saluting the crowd.

Betfred responded by cutting Kauto Star to 4-1 (from 10) for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Long Run unchanged at 5-2.

Trainer Paul Nicholls said: “I knew he’d run well as he’d been so well at home. He was in fantastic form and it was a great ride.

“I’ll never train another like him and a lot of people wrote him off last year. He wasn’t right at any stage last year and I knew if he ran today like he did at Haydock he’d be there.”

Kauto Star, who defeated Long Run by eight lengths in the Betfair Chase last time, was prominent throughout as Nacarat and Golan Way disputed the early running, while Master Minded and Captain Chris were settled towards the rear of the seven-runner field.

Going out for the final circuit, Walsh took Kauto Star to the front in a bid to stretch the field and his jumping soon put pressure on the chasing pack.

Nacarat and Golan Way quickly backtracked and it was Long Run, under Sam Waley-Cohen, who went in pursuit of the leader.

Captain Chris was momentarily caught flat-footed as Kauto Star increased the pace while the leader’s stablemate Master Minded made a shuddering error five fences from home.

It was found after the race that Master Minded had struck into himself and was pulled up by Daryl Jacob. The dual Champion Chase winner's injury is reported to be career-threatening but not life-threatening.

Rounding the turn into the home straight, Walsh took a long look through his legs to see Long Run under pressure and kicked Kauto Star into a clear lead.

Three magnificent jumps gave him a deserved and decisive victory, with the six-year-old Long Run emering with great credit back in second for trainer Nicky Henderson.

“I’d always wanted him to be ridden like that as all he does is jump and stay,” added Nicholls. “We wouldn’t have kept going last year if we didn’t think he could still do it.

“The star still burns bright and he should be favourite for the Gold Cupon this year’s form.”

Smith added: “He’s amazing, I’ll never have another like him. He was in top, top form and it was just a case if he had recovered from Haydock.”

Captain Chris plugged on to take third ahead of Somersby, with the pair 17 lengths adrift of the leading duo.

Following his heroic victory, Kauto Star will be paraded outside The Manor House Inn in Ditcheat at 12.30pm.