Kauto Star make history by winning fourth straight King George Chase

Kauto Star has made history by winning the 2009 William Hill King George Chase today at Kempton Park for the fourth year in a row.

The legendary Desert Orchid set the record to beat at four wins in five years and three wins in succession, but Kauto Star bettered that on Boxing Day by beating a top class field to win four in a row with jockey Ruby Walsh, trainer Paul Nicholls and owner Clive Smith.

Nacarat lead for most of the race, but Kauto Star cruised to the lead on the final bend and won by a record-breaking ‘distance’, 36 lengths, from Madison Du Berlais and Babers Shop.

Second favourite Imperial Commander, who lost to Kauto Star by a nose in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month, made a mistake early on and finished 5th.

“It’s some performance to come back four years in a race and it’s even better to win four in a row – it was some performance,” said jockey Ruby Walsh after the win.

“Paul, Dan, Clifford, Mick they’ve all done it. To be on his [Kauto Star's] back is a privilege.”

Trainer Paul Nicholls said about his star horse: “I said he was as well as I ever had him, but that’s the best he’s ever been.”

2009 King George VI Chase Results

• 1. Kauto Star
• 2. Madison Du Berlais
• 3. Babers Shop
• 4. Nacarat
• 5. Imperial Commander
• 6. Albertas Run
• 7. Tartak
• 8. Our Vic
• 9. Ollie Magern
• 10. Sandymac
• PU Deep Purple
• PU Master Medic
• PU Racing Demon

Babers Shop confirmed for the 2009 King George Chase

The Queen’s horse Babers Shop has been confirmed for this year’s William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. The news of the confirmation has seen Babers Shop’s odds drop from 20/1 to 14/1 with event sponsor William Hill.

The King George Chase, and taking on Kauto Star, was seen as a better option for the seven year old instead of Ascot’s Sodexo Prestige Silver Cup on Saturday, where he would have had to concede weight to all but What A Friend.

“He is at the top of every handicap unless he’s got a Denman in the race like in the Hennessy, where he ran superbly. So we either run in a handicap at Ascot from top weight or have a go at Kauto Star in the King George, and that’s what we decided to do. Three miles suits him well as I don’t think he’s a real slogger” said trainer Nicky Henderson.

The Queen's horse Barbers Shop being considered for the King George Chase

After a credible fourth in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on the weekend Nicky Henderson may consider running Barbers Shop over three miles again, possibly at the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.

Barbers Shop, one of the Queen’s horses, performed well considering the ground at Newbury was softer than ideal to make the frame.

Henderson said after the race, “I think he got a bit tired after looking a big danger turning for home, but it was a great performance from the winner. I don’t think three miles would be a worry.”

When questiong about the chance of Babers Shop contesting the King George Chase at Kempton, Henderson said, “We’ll see. He kept at it and will probably come on for his run.”

Barbers Shop is currently at 14/1 with William Hill for the King George VI Chase.

The Queen's horse Barbers Shop

There will be a number of possible runners for this year’s King George VI Chase in action at the Newbury Winter Festival between November 26 – 28.

The highlight of the Newbury Winter Festival is the Hennessy Gold Cup on Saturday November 28. In it’s 50th yeah, the Hennessy Gold Cup is a Grade 3 National Hunt chase open to 4 year olds and over. Last year’s winner Madison du Berlais is a possible runner in this year’s King George Chase.

Notable horses entered in the 2009 Hennessy Gold Cup Chase that could go onto contest the King George Chase include Joe Lively, Roll Along, War Of Attrition and current equal second favourites (with antepost odds of 13/2 at William Hill) Babers Shop and What A Friend.

Also on Hennessy Gold Cup Day at Newbury, Nacarat will run in the Long Distance Hurdle. Trainer Tom George is hoping that the 3m 110y hurdle will give Nacarat a good run and then a long enough break before the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on December 26.