Regal Kauto in record fifth King George racing bid

Kauto Star, the best chaser of his generation, returns to Kempton on Monday intent on regaining the King George VI Chase crown he relinquished tamely to Long Run last season. Paul Nicholls' jumping superstar silenced those who had the temerity to suggest his glory days were behind him when lowering the colours of Nicky Henderson's reigning King George and Gold Cup winner at Haydock last month. "He knows he's king," owner Clive Smith said as his remarkable 11-year-old came back to a spinetingling reception. The Paul Nicholls-trained Kauto Star, out to win a record fifth King George, has nothing to prove, being the only horse to have regained the Gold Cup, and the only one to win four consecutive King Georges. Ruby Walsh is back on board on Monday after missing last year's King George through injury, and the Irishman is fully appreciative of the debt he owes this equine emperor. "He is the horse of my career, no doubt, I think he is the horse of my generation, to have ridden him is a great privilege," he told Saturday's Times. Walsh is set to repeat the front running tactics he deployed to such devastating effect at Haydock and while alive to the danger presented by the brilliant Long Run he senses an upset. "He's (Long Run) the one we have to beat but, that said, Kauto might be a better horse this year than last. Paul thinks he is and maybe he's right." The balance of power seemed to have tilted towards Henderson's young pretender Long Run last season after a subdued Kauto Star succumbed at Kempton, and then finished third to his five years younger rival in the Gold Cup in March. Long Run's camp took defeat at Haydock on the chin, rider Sam Waley-Cohen warning ominously: "Our World Cup and Olympics are still to come in the King George and the Gold Cup." The ante-post betting suggests Long Run will mount a successful defence of his crown, Henderson's flagbearer being the favourite at 5-4 with Kauto Star a 4-1 chance and owner Robert Waley-Cohen, the jockey's father, is bullish. Reflecting on the Haydock reverse he told At The Races: "Long Run ran much too free early on and got into the race much earlier than we wanted and tried to eyeball Kauto Star down the back straight. "He got over excited and made mistakes at three fences, but ran on strongly. The finish showed his great courage and stamina. "He is a tough horse to get fit for his first run it seems. His first run last year was a horror. It seems difficult for him to win first time out. "I saw him jumping with Sam last Wednesday and he was foot perfect, fantastic, He showed great technique." "Was I disappointed to be beaten? Yes. Do I think we'll beat him (Kauto Star) on December 26? Yes, I do. My confidence is growing." Kauto Star is joined by stablemate Master Minded, brilliant over two miles but untested over this three mile trip. Master Minded has been specifically prepared for the mid-winter showpiece and his innate speed and jumping flair indicate he is set to have a major say in proceedings. Master Minded runs in the same Clive Smith colours as Kauto Star and the lucky owner told BBC Sport: "They're both well, but I have no idea who will win." This is the first time the pair have raced against each other with Smith saying: "We always probably thought that it wouldn't be a good idea for them to run against each other. It sort of spoils the mystique about who would win." The eight-strong field also includes Sommersby, whose trainer Henrietta Knight won in 2002 with her triple Gold Cup hero Best Mate, Grade One winning chaser Captain Chris and Betfair Chase fourth Diamond Harry.