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

Nacarat is still on track for the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park

Nacarat is still on track for the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on December 26 despite failing to finish the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last Saturday.

The eight year old grey, trained by Tom George, was prominent for most of the Long Distance Hurdle before jockey Sam Thomas pulled him up two flights from home. Nacarat ran over hurdles because there were few suitable races for him over fences.

Despite the result George believes the race had some benefit and is looking forward to running him at Kempton Park, where he won the Racing Post Chase this year, for the King George Chase on Boxing Day.

George said on his website, “Nacarat has come out of his hurdle run well. The race served its purpose to bring him on. However, he did make it clear, as he has before, that he’s not going to make a long distance hurdler. His target remains the King George.”

Nacarat is currently 14/1 for the King George VI Chase with William Hill.

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.

Nacarat to hurdle at Newbury in preparation for the King George Chase

Nacarat will run in the Grade 2 sportingbet.com Long Distance Hurdle on November 28 at Newbury as preparation for the King George Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

Nacarat’s trainer Tom George said “Nacarat is back from the spa and in full work. He will reappear in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on Hennessy day as there are no suitable chases for him which would give him long enough between races before the King George.”

So far this jump season Nacarat has had only one run. That was in the William Hill Gold Cup at Exeter where he finished eighth in a nine horse field.

Nacarat

Racing Post Chase winner Nacarat will not run in Saturday’s Betfair Chase at Haydock, instead opting to concentrate on the upcoming King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. Trainer Tom George described the King George Chase as the main priority for the 8 year old grey.

“He’s not going to Haydock. I had a chat with his owner Simon Clarke this morning. The King George is his number one target and we’ve decided to wait for that.” George said.

“It could be quite gruelling at Haydock on Saturday and we don’t want to give him such a hard race at this stage of the season.”

The news is a slight blow for the Betfair Chase as Nacarat was among 13 horses left in the field for the Grade 1 race on Saturday and was as short as 16-1 in betting. He also will not get a run against some of the other possible King George Chase runners who will be taking on the Betfair Chase including Kauto Star, Madison Du Berlais and Imperial Commander.

Nacarat is currently at 14/1 for the King George VI Chase in Antepost betting at William Hill.