Fehily to partner Kauto Star

Racing: Noel Fehily will get the leg-up on Kauto Star in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton

Racing:Noel Fehily will get the leg-up on Kauto Star in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton. The talented rider has been called into the breach by Paul Nicholls since stable jockey Ruby Walsh suffered a double leg break at Down Royal at the start of the month.

Fehily partnered Master Minded, who like Kauto Star is owned by Clive Smith, to a facile victory at Ascot on Saturday, and has now been given the plum ride on St Stephen’s Day as Kauto Star chases an historic fifth consecutive win in the Kempton showpiece.

“Noel takes the ride,” Nicholls said in his column on www.betfair.com. “It was fairly obvious that we were heading in that direction. Noel’s success aboard Master Minded on Saturday pretty much sealed the decision.”

Fehily told At The Races: “It’s absolutely brilliant to get a ride like that on a horse like that. He’s obviously a very good horse and I can’t wait — I’m really excited.”