Paul Nicholls happy with Kauto Star ahead of King George

Trainer Paul Nicholls has said he is “looking forward” to this weekend when his popular racehorse Kauto Star bids to win a record fifth consecutive King George Chase.

The race, which is traditionally run on Boxing Day, was rescheduled for Saturday (15 January) due to heavy snow.

Today the 11-year-old, owned by Clive Smith, was filmed schooling at home in Somerset ridden by jockey Harry Skelton.

“Kauto had a little pop round our schools and jumped 20 odd fences. It’s just the last bit of jumping before he runs on Saturday. That’s all they needed to stretch their legs and it was part of their exercise,” Paul Nicholls told At The Races.

“It’s routine. We always do that, two or three days before he runs. He jumped well and is in good order.”

Kauto, who will be ridden by champion jockey AP McCoy, will face a maximum of 9 contenders on Saturday — Albertas Run, Forpadydeplasterer, Long Run, Madison Du Berlais, Nacarat, Planet of Sound, Ollie Magern, Riverside Theatre and The Nightingale.

Trainer Henry de Bromhead has said Sizing Europe, the 2010 Arkle winner, will not run.

Madison Du Berlais will be ridden by young jockey Danny Cook after Tom Scudamore suffered a kidney injury following a fall at Sandown on Saturday (8 January).

The King George VI Chase takes place at 3.05pm and will be show on Channel 4.

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