Kauto Heads Star-Studded Line-Up

Kauto Star will face a maximum of seven rivals in his bid to land back-to-back renewals of the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.

The highest-rated chaser in training returned to winning ways last time at Haydock to set himself up for an unprecedented repeat of his Betfair Million success of last year.

Trainer Paul Nicholls also has a capable second-string in the shape of Ryanair Chase winner Taranis.

Jonjo O'Neill's perennial bridesmaid Exotic Dancer will take the champion on once again after coming closer than ever to beating Kauto Star last time.

My Way De Solzen, a hugely impressive winner of the Arkle last season but a disappointment at Haydock, could bid to restore his reputation.

Racing Demon, third in last year's King George, may also have another crack after a confidence-boosting success in the Peterborough Chase.

Hi Cloy, trained by Michael Hourigan, is the sole Irish challenger at this stage, while Lord Jay Jay could represent Evan Williams following an impressive win at Ascot last time.

Our Vic is likely to make his seasonal debut for the in-form David Pipe.

After a sluggish start to the campaign, Pipe now has his yard firing on all cylinders.

That fact was illustrated last weekend at Cheltenham when he won both feature races with Tamarinbleu and Osana.

'We've left Our Vic in the King George and the plan, hopefully, is to go to Kempton on St Stephen's Day with him,' said Pipe.

'He can be a bit in and out sometimes but like we always say, we wouldn't mind a few more like him.

'Obviously the King George is an impossible race, it is probably the toughest race he has ever run in in his life.

'But as everybody knows, these good horses have very few options. With him having a slight setback earlier in the year our hand was forced somewhat.

'He may seem to have been around for ages but he is only nine, going on 10, and he still has some good races in him.'

Totesport make Kauto Star the 4-5 favourite, while Exotic Dancer has drifted out to 11-2 from 9-2.

'There were 22 defectors at the six-day entry stage and each-way punters who snaffled up the 12-1 on Wednesday about Taranis will be delighted to see so few acceptors,' said spokesman Damian Walker.

'At this stage Kauto Star is a winner in our ante-post book as each-way money on Our Vic, Racing Demon and Taranis hits us hardest.

'But on the day, the Gold Cup winner will almost certainly be the big loser in the book.'

Stan James King George VI Chase

Totesport bet: 4-5 Kauto Star, 11-2 Exotic Dancer, 11-2 My Way De Solzen, 13-2 Taranis, 8-1 Racing Demon, 25-1 Our Vic, 66-1 Hi Cloy, Lord Jay Jay.

(C) PA Sport