Kauto Star and Long Run feature among just eight confirmations for the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Although lacking in quantity, the quality could hardly be higher for the Festive highlight as Kauto Star goes for a remarkable fifth victory in the race.
Last year’s winner Long Run, trained by Nicky Henderson, bids to reverse placings with Kauto Star on last month’s run in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.
And Henderson feels it is his job to ‘dethrone Kauto Star’.
“Over the past year we could beat Kauto Star easily, as simple as that,” Henderson told the Guardian.
“But Kauto wasn’t anywhere near his prime in those two races. Now that Paul Nicholls has got him back to his best, and Kauto beat Long Run at Haydock last month, we’re in for one hell of a race.
“Even last year everyone else wanted Kauto to win. We really wrecked the party. That’s why the Haydock reception was phenomenal. People always want the old champion to come back and defeat the young pretender.
“Of course the public might not want me to do it but it’s my job to dethrone Kauto Star.”
Kauto Star’s owner Clive Smith and trainer Paul Nicholls have a second major candidate in Master Minded, with the dual Champion Chase winner stepping up to three miles (4800m) for the first time in his career.
Henrietta Knight is set to saddle her stable star Somersby, with Diamond Harry representing Nick Williams.
Philip Hobbs’ Arkle winner Captain Chris is another trying three miles for the first time while Nacarat and Golan Way complete the stellar line-up.
PA AAP TURF
