King George Chase

Kauto Star (right) won the Betfair Chase by a nose from Imperial Commander at Haydock

Connections for both Kauto Star and Imperial Commander are happy with the condition of their chasers after their epic battle in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last Saturday. Kauto Star won by a nose from Imperial Commander after the lead was traded back and forth between them.

The King George VI Chase could now see a rematch between these two impressive horses. While Kauto Star is almost certain to run in the Grade 1 race on Boxing Day, Imperial Commander’s impressive run at Haydock has meant that he is now a possibility for the King George VI Chase as well.

Kauto Star’s trainer, Paul Nicholls, said that the defending King George Chase winner is “absolutely fine, sharp and well.”

“He had a hard race two years ago against Exotic Dancer and a hard race when he fell 12 months ago too, and both times he came back to win the King George. It looks like he ran about 12lb below his Gold Cup form last year and Haydock is an away day for him, it doesn’t really play to his strengths.

“His next two races at Kempton and Cheltenham are on his home ground, especially Cheltenham. To be honest, I think it was as good a comeback race as he’s ever had” Nicholls said.

Assistant to Imperial Commander’s trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, Carl Llewellyn, said that “Imperial Commander has come out of the race fine. He had a hard race, both of them did, but that’s what’s going to happen if you take on a Gold Cup winner.

“Before [Haydock], he wouldn’t have been going to the King George, but it’s got to be a possibility now. There’s a school of thought that he’s not so good going right-handed, so there will need to be a lot of discussion with the owners” Llewellyn added.

It would definitely be great to see these two in form jump horses battle it out again at this year’s King George VI Chase.