Racing history was made at Kempton Park on Boxing Day when National Hunt Racing’s most celebrated horse – Kauto Star - took an unprecedented fifth victory in the famous Christmas spectacle – the William Hill King George VI Chase.
A veteran of nearly twelve years of age, and an unconsidered 33-1 chance six weeks ago, Kauto Star returned to the fore, demolishing his rivals in his prep-run at Haydock last month, before connections aimed him for a sixth tilt at the race he’d already taken four times previous.
Under regular pilot Ruby Walsh, the white-faced chaser made it a foot-perfect performance to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths over last year’s champion Long Run – making the score two apice.
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William Hill immediately reacted by cutting Kauto Star to 9-2 second-favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, whilst easing ante-post favourite Long Run to 3-1 from 5-2.
Spokeswoman for William Hill, Kate Miller, explained to Bettingpro: “Just when you think you have seen it all! Already one of the most iconic racehorses of the modern era, Kauto Star has now achieved what most thought was impossible”.
William Hill King George VI Chase 2012: 11-4 Long Run, 7-2 Grands Crus, 11-2 Kauto Star, 16-1 Silviniaco Conti
Cheltenham Gold Cup: 3-1 Long Run, 9-2 Kauto Star, 10-1 Grand Crus, 16-1 Quito De La Roque, Riverside Theatre, Time For Rupert, Weird Al, 20-1 Burton Port, Diamond Harry, Rubi Light, 25-1 Captain Chris, Noble Prince, 33-1 Jessies Dream, Wayward Prince, What A Friend, Wishfull Thinking, 40-1 Bostons Angel, Michel Le Bon, 50-1 BAR (EW ¼ 1,2,3)
