PAUL NICHOLLS believes a fourth consecutive success for Kauto Star in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton would confirm his greatness.
Desert Orchid won the race four times, but not in consecutive years with French raider Nupsala breaking his sequence in 1987.
But after becoming the first horse to reclaim the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, and landed a third Betfair Chase on his seasonal debut at Haydock last month, more history beckons at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Trainer Nicholls said: “He’s very well after Haydock, we are very happy with him and it’s all systems go.
“I think you have to say he is up there with the very best of all time having won three King Georges already, two Gold Cups, two Tingle Creeks and two Betfair Chases.
“No horse has ever won four King Georges on the bounce though and if he did that you’d have to say he was one of the very best.
“We set out our stall this year to have him at his very best on two occasions, the King George and the Gold Cup. He had that run the other day just to put him spot on.
“We are very happy with him and if we can get him there and win it for a fourth time it will be fantastic.
“One of my greatest achievements has to be winning a second Hennessy with Denman recently but if we can get Kauto to win four King Georges, it will reflect greatly on the whole team,” he told BHAXtra.
“Imperial Commander ran very well at Haydock and Nigel (Twiston-Davies) obviously had him in great shape for that day, but I think he enjoyed the soft ground more than we did and you could make a case that Imperial Commander isn’t as good going right-handed.
“There are always going to be dangers in a race like that but I can’t see too many other obvious ones barring Imperial Commander.
“I suppose Madison du Berlais has run some good races in the past, but you could argue he was disappointing on his last run. I know he beat Denman at Kempton last year but you could argue what that form was worth.
“The one I think could be interesting is Barbers Shop because he didn’t stay behind Denman in the Hennessy. He would have an outside chance but if Kauto is in the form he was for the Gold Cup, he’ll be hard to beat.”
Meanhwile Nicholls’ Gwanako tops the weights alongside Our Vic for the 17-strong field for tomorrow’s Boylesports.com Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Gwanako unseated his rider on his first start of the campaign at Ascot and is one of three runners for champion trainer Nicholls along with Chapoturgeon and and Poquelin.
The latter pair both contested last month’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at Prestbury Park, with Chapoturgeon only making it as far as the eighth fence and Poquelin filling the runner-up spot behind Tranquil Sea.
David Pipe’s Our Vic is being turned out under a 5lb penalty just six days after winning at Warwick.
TODAY’S NAP: River Indus (2.25pm Cheltenham)
