ONE QUESTION will dominate this Christmas week in racing: after his last-fence blunder in the Betfair Chase, can Kauto Star come back and make it a hat-trick of victories in the Stan James King George VI chase at Kempton on Boxing Day?
Throughout his career, Kauto Star has had a tendency to fiddle or belt the final fence in a race. It has often seemed to be the only chink in his armour, though his trainer Paul Nicholls has rightly pointed out that he usually still gets over the fen
ce.
Kauto Star did actually jump the last at Haydock, but his belly flop on landing gave jockey Sam Thomas no chance of staying in the saddle. Such an error can often be a psychological injury to a horse, so it will be interesting to see what Nicholls says about the Star's mental condition in the run-up to the big event.
It would take a brave man to suggest that even if fully fit, both physically and between the ears, the Star will have it all his own way at the Sunbury circuit. Imperial Commander, Voy Por Ustedes and Air Force One could lay down stiff markers, while the rejuvenated War Of Attrition is also a possible runner at this stage.
While respecting Nicholls' talented chaser, Jenny Pitman knows better than anybody that everything has to be right on the day, as it was in 1984 when she trained Burrough Hill Lad to beat the mighty Wayward Lad.
"He's a bit inclined to have a few blips, but when he's on his mettle he's a real good horse," she said. "I think the ground makes a big difference to him. If we get a lot of frost and more snow you might be looking for something else perhaps."
Pitman is right about the ground, but all being well, I think Kauto Star will become only the second horse after Desert Orchid to win three successive King Georges and, having had that blip at Haydock, you may even be able to get a decent price.
The King George forms the bedrock to a superb six-race card on Boxing Day, while the other big event of the week ahead is the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow next Saturday.
Last year's winner, Miko De Beauchene, will carry 9lbs more in weight, which in my opinion hands the race to last year's second, Halcon Generaldais. Alan King's stayer is an each-way steal at 10-1.
The two big post-Christmas meetings bring to an end an outstanding year of racing. Personal highlights included watching Denman prove his greatness in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, even if he did beat my selection Kauto Star.
On the Flat, an early season tip to follow Ballydoyle proved lucrative. Yeats's hat-trick victory in the Ascot Gold Cup and especially Duke of Marmalade's titanic tussle with Papal Bull in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes were my two highlights of the season, though Zarkava's breathtaking performance in the Arc ran them close.
