Kauto's Star In The Ascendancy

Kauto Star shone magnificently at Sandown Park as he produced a display packed full of class to capture back-to-back runnings of the William Hill ? Tingle Creek Chase.

He marked his coming of age with victory at the Esher venue 12 months ago and in defeating last season's Arkle winner Voy Por Ustedes by seven lengths this time, Paul Nicholls' crack six-year-old pushed himself further clear at the top of the chasing tree.

A faller in the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March, Kauto Star has proved a revelation this winter with imperious displays over longer trips at Aintree and Haydock.

The extra distance appeared to unlock untapped quantities of class, but Nicholls had insisted beforehand there was no gamble dropping back to two miles ahead of the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.

And the champion trainer was proved right as Kauto Star travelled like a dream and was hardly out of a canter to take his second Grade One of the season under Ruby Walsh.

The departure of Dempsey's rider at the eighth fence left the two big guns out clear and they raced to the Pond Fence ? three from home ? locked together.

But a quicker leap from Kauto Star propelled him forward and he eased away to survive a slight mistake at the second-last and collect as the 4-9 favourite.

King George sponsors Stan James cut him into 8-11 favourite from 5-6 for the Christmas feature, with William Hill shortest at 8-13 and Blue Square most generous at 4-5.

Cashmans left him unchanged at 9-4 for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, while the sponsors, Coral and VC Bet offer 5-2, Ladbrokes 3-1 and Blue Square unchanged at 7-2.

Nicholls, who caught most people off guard when entering Kauto Star for the race on Monday, said: 'I would have looked stupid now if he was stood at home in his box.

'He has been so fresh and well. He has just amazed me this wk.

'I must admit I've never felt pressure like this the last few days. People have been coming up to me saying you're brave or you're doing something stupid and if I had half an excuse not to run then I wouldn't have, but he was so well that we had to.

'You have got to keep an open mind in this game and there was no gamble taken to run.

'The King George is three weeks away and he could stand on a stone just before then and not be able to run.

'He has to have his conditions and two miles on soft ground is fine for him.

'We will have to see how he is but he will have a holiday after the King George, with the possibility of one run before Cheltenham.

'We now have plenty of options for Cheltenham as if it tipped down and came up a slog for the Gold Cup we could run in the Queen Mother, or even the Ryanair Chase. Nothing is set in stone.'

The pronunciation of Kauto Star's name has been the subject of great discussion over the last couple of seasons, but Nicholls was very sure of his own thoughts on the matter.

He added: 'There is a lot of debate over what to call him, but ?Star' is definitely the right word.'

Walsh, who was still limping falling a fall on Friday, added: 'He is just a very special horse. I have ridden so many good horses in my time, but this one is definitely the best.

'Everything is so easy for him. He settled so well and never pulled ? it is almost like someone has told him he is running over two miles and he knows what to do.

'They went a good gallop and he travelled really well. He jumped the Pond Fence better than the runner-up and after that is was all over in a couple of strides.

'I always wanted a machine and now I've got one.'

Owner Clive Smith added: 'Ruby said he's a horse in a lifetime ? I'm lucky to have him.

'I just couldn't believe it was so easy for him. I don't want to be too optimistic about it, but it was fantastic.

'He showed how clever he is. He made a mistake and got away with it.

'It was a great thrill and a perfect prep for the King George.'

Alan King was far from disappointed with the effort of the runner-up.

'It was a very good first run. All things being equal he will go to Kempton on December 27 for the Desert Orchid Chase,' he said.

'I'm very happy with that, I couldn't not be.

'There's a little bit of improvement there for his first run of his season and who knows, we might have been beaten by a superstar ? as long Paul keeps him at three miles I'll be happy!'

(C) PA Sport