behind, pushed along 10th, soon beaten
mid-division, headway halfway, chased leaders 5 out, never able to challenge
chased leaders, mistake 4th, lost place 8th, behind when pulled up 10th
mistake 2nd, soon behind, headway 7th, never on terms
held up in touch, tracked leader 12th, led before 3 out, clear before next, impressive
tracked leaders, under pressure 7th, soon outpaced, headway 3 out, stayed on to chase winner but never a threat
held up mid-division, mistake 7th, under pressure 11th, soon behind, pulled up 3 out
led, driven and headed approaching 3 out, weakened next
prominent, pushed along 12th, soon weakened
mid-division and weakened before 4 out
always behind, struggling halfway, pulled up after 9th
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, weakened before 5 out
always behind
All eyes on KAUTO STAR here as the popular chaser bids to emulate the great Desert Orchid in winning his fourth King George and it's almost impossible to oppose the Nicholls runner who gets the vote from Imperial Commander and Deep Purple in a race packed full of quality. Our selection needs little introduction as a dual Gold Cup winner who arrives here seeking a fourth consecutive victory in this contest and if in the same form as when thrashing similar opposition a year ago the nine-year-old will take some stopping. Unlike last year, the gelding comes here on the back of victory in the Betfair Chase and although that success came by the narrowest of margins from Imperial Commander we will stick with the champion who should have come on plenty for that race. The Nigel Twiston-Davies camp appear confident their horse can give the favourite another fright and that does seem possible although it's worth noting their charge arrived here in form last year before disappointing when trailing home a well beaten sixth. It's difficult to pin down a concrete reason for that below-par effort and the horse responded in the best possible fashion by winning the RyanAir Chase at last season's festival but perhaps he's better going left handed and unlike our selection he still has questions to answer regarding today's conditions and so we're prepared to take master over apprentice this time around. Deep Purple is another improving chaser who bids to overthrow the King and it was hard not to be impressed with Evan Williams' horse's success in the Peterborough Chase last time. This likeable eight-year-old is versatile with regards tactics and conditions and if he's able to put in another solid round of jumping then a big run is likely and he's just preferred to Madison Du Berlais of the remainder. The last-named won last season's Hennessy in fine style and also took the scalp of a below-par Denman after that but he's twice been left behind by Kauto Star and looks just short of top class, as does Barbers Shop who will be suited by this flat track but might just be seen to better effect over shorter - the RyanAir Chase at the festival looks a feasible long term goal. Alberta's Run was a creditable second in this race last year and will doubtless attract his share of each-way money although Jonjo O'Neill's gelding looked to have no excuses when brushed aside by Deep Purple last time and on that run shouldn't be a bigger price than second-placed Tartak who surely represents better value here. Nacarat is respected on his Racing Post Chase success here in February when routing a strong field but it's a big ask for him to repeat the trick against vastly superior rivals today and a place is surely his best hope whilst Racing Demon has surely seen his best days. Those seeking an outsider with place claims could do worse than side with Our Vic who has beaten Kauto Star before although it'll be a shock if he does so here and with the others looking set to be outclassed our attentions return to the champion Kauto Star in the hope he re-writes the history books.
Albertas Run (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leader, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Deep Purple (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gs.
Barbers Shop 13-2 (10-8) Chased leaders, went prominent 16th, chased winner 17th to 4 out, no extra from 2 out, hit last, 4th of 19, 8l behind Denman (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Deep Purple 12-1 (11-10) Prominent, went 2nd at 10th, led 2 out, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gs beating Tartak (11-0) by 6l, 7 ran.
Imperial Commander (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, soon tracking leaders, joined leader after 9th, led 6 out, headed 2 out, every chance run -in, just failed, 2nd of 7, ns behind Kauto Star (11-7) at Haydock 3m Grade 1 chs (1) sft in Nov.
Kauto Star (FR) 4-6fav (11-7) Held up, went 2nd 5 out, led 2 out, hard ridden and under pressure flat, just held on, won at Haydock 3m Grade 1 chs (1) sft in Nov beating Imperial Commander (11-7) by ns, 7 ran.
Madison Du Berlais (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 6th, headed 6 out, weakened approaching 4 out, 3rd of 7, 25l behind Kauto Star (11-7) at Haydock 3m Grade 1 chs (1) sft in Nov.
Master Medic (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along 7th, headway 9th, soon chasing winner, stayed on under pressure approaching last, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Fix The Rib (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (2) gd in Nov.
Nacarat (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Raced wide, with leader until hit 2nd, chased leader after, pushed along and mistake 4 out, struggling approaching 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Big Buck's (11-8) at Newbury 3m hdl G2 (1) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Ollie Magern 85-40 (11-0) Led, ridden and hard pressed from 4 out, stayed on to go 2 lengths clear last, tired and headed final 75 yards, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Deep Purple (11-5) at Wetherby 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Our Vic (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Led until took wrong course and ran out on bend after 3rd, in a race won by Poquelin (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grade 3 (4yo+) (1) sft, 17 ran.
Racing Demon (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Always behind, stumbled slightly on bend after 9th, never dangerous when blundered 2 out, 5th of 7, 47l behind Deep Purple (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gs.
Tartak (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, hit 5th, mistake 10th and 12th, pushed along to chase leaders after 3 out, left 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Deep Purple (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gs.
Sandymac (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Held up, improved from 9th, ridden 4 out, kept on under pressure from 2 out, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Bubble Boy (11-4) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
