 Kauto Star won a record fourth straight King George in 2009 |
Top steeplechaser Kauto Star will not run in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on 27 November, ending the prospect of a showdown with stablemate Denman. The dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner will instead go to Kempton in a bid to win a fifth King George VI Chase. Trainer Paul Nicholls made the decision after consulting owner Clive Smith. Nicholls said: "We have two priorities this season, the King George and the Gold Cup, and we weren't going to jeopardise those by going to Newbury." A victory at Kempton on Boxing Day would make Kauto the first five-time winner of the King George. "You have to look at what running at Newbury could have done to the rest of his season," added Nicholls.  | 606: DEBATE |
"One of his two main targets this season is the King George, and he would be the first horse to win the race five times if successful on Boxing Day. "There was clearly a big danger of leaving the King George behind had he gone to Newbury." Nicholls did not rule out giving Kauto a first crack at the Hennessy next year. "Make no mistake, he was a likely runner at one stage," he stated. "Having always loved the race, Clive was very keen, and I wouldn't have stood in his way. The race and course would have suited him, and it would obviously have been one of the all-time great handicap performances had he gone to Newbury, and won." Kauto Star and Denman have only met three times on the racecourse with one Gold Cup victory apiece. Kauto suffered a heavy fall in this year's edition of chasing's blue riband event, with Imperial Commander winning and Denman second.
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