Kauto serves up festive treat

KEMPTON REPORT: KAUTO STAR served up a festive treat to rank himself alongside Desert Orchid with a third straight win in the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton yesterday.

Kauto Star swept aside any hint of a decline to again put his stamp on the race under Ruby Walsh.

Paul Nicholls's multiple Grade One winner was beaten on three of his four previous outings, and speculation was building the eight-year-old was past his best.

Punters decided that proposition was nonsense and piled their Christmas readies into Kauto Star to send him off the 10 to 11 favourite. The 2007 Gold Cup hero was always travelling sweetly, and after being joined by Albertas Run turning for home he quickly shrugged him aside to overcome his trademark final-fence blunder and score by eight lengths.

Nicholls said: "This is great for the horse. He has been an amazing horse for us - three King Georges now, Betfair Chases, Gold Cups, Tingle Creeks - he has done it all.

"I knew he was back to his best today and he has shown everyone how good he is."

Kauto Star's victory was a first major success for Walsh since he had his spleen removed following a fall at Cheltenham last month. "He's a star, isn't he? He's always been a wonderful horse but when you are at the top, people want to knock you.

"To win three King Georges is fantastic. He is a great horse and it is a pleasure to have ridden him in so many races," said Walsh.

Meanwhile, Harchibald showed he can never be discounted when conditions come right as he collected his second Christmas Hurdle. Noel Meade's charge (7 to 1) was the bright young hope back in 2004 when he cruised home in the Stan James-sponsored Grade One. Twelve months ago he was fended off by Straw Bear, but this time it was Blue Bajan and Snap Tie who provided the greatest challenge after the favourite Punjabi failed to take off properly at the second-last and crashed out.

Punjabi's fall looked to cost valuable momentum but Paul Carberry ensured Harchibald stayed composed and he looked as good as ever as he held Snap Tie and Blue Bajan to win by three-quarters of a length.