HISTORY-SEEKING Kauto Star will face 10 rivals in his bid to win the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
But it is the weather that is causing the Paul Nicholls’ star chaser most concern as Kempton must pass a 12pm inspection today for racing to go ahead on Sunday.
Temperatures once again plummeted to below freezing on Wednesday night, with some of the course covers frozen to the turf.
Further severe frosts are forecast from now until Sunday’s meeting.
Clerk of the course Barney Clifford said: “Temperatures have got up to just above zero today, but it is still bitterly cold.
“There is more cover visible than there is snow, but in places, the covers are still stuck to the grass.
“The wind-chill factor this morning was measured at minus 6.5C. The forecast is not too bad for tonight, getting down to minus 3C. It’s then minus 5C going into Christmas Day and minus 6C at dawn on Boxing Day.
“The Met Office tell us we are due an estimated wind-chill factor of minus 9C. With the covers stuck to the track, there’s not a lot you can do.”
Connections of Kauto Star were preparing as if the race would ahead with new big-race pilot Tony McCoy getting acquainted with the 10-year-old in a gallop at Nicholls’ Ditcheat stables yesterday.
The champion jockey will ride Kauto Star for the first time following the late withdrawal of Noel Fehily.
Nicholls reports Kauto Star to be in “amazing form” and he said yesterday: “He won his prep race nicely, he’s gone ever so well since and I’m very happy with him. He’s been in really good order.
“His record is incredible. That’s 14 Grade Ones he’s won. He’s won 17 races for us and not been out of the first two each time he’s got round.
“That speaks for itself. He’s an amazing horse and, at the moment, he’s in amazing form.
“We’re lucky to have a horse like him in the yard and that’s what we all strive for. I’m very, very lucky.
“Ruby’s (Walsh) not going to be there this time but that’s racing and one one of those things. We just hope everything goes well to the big day.”
Nicholls is also represented by The Nightingale, while Nicky Henderson sends out a strong pair in Long Run and Riverside Theatre.
Last season’s Arkle Trophy hero Sizing Europe is joined by Forpadydeplasterer on the trip from Ireland.
Nacarat, Albertas Run, Madison Du Berlais, Ollie Magern and Planet Of Sound complete the line-up.
Sizing Europe has filled the runner-up spot on his last couple of starts, chasing home Kauto Star in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal last time.
Trainer Henry de Bromhead knows it will be tough against a horse he describes as a “legend”.
The Irish handler said: “He’s been in very good form and we’re very pleased with him.
“We hope he’s improved since his last run but we are taking on a legend so to finish in the first three or four would be a fantastic run.
“It’s not a case of playing for places – you always want to win – but we are taking on a horse who is rated 20-odd pounds higher than us.
“Our run in Down Royal was obviously better than that but he (Kauto Star) seems a different horse at Kempton.
“Sizing Europe has always looked a very good horse from the first day we galloped him and we’re very lucky to have him, the way he has developed.”
Meanwhile Chepstow’s Coral Welsh National meeting on Monday has been postponed until Saturday, January 8.
The course remains unfit for racing and there is no prospect of conditions improving sufficiently over the next few days.
