His Star is still rising - Nicholls

Trainer Paul Nicholls has leapt to the defence of Kauto Star as Clive Smith's chaser attempts to join Desert Orchid by winning the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton for three years in succession.

In fact, Dessie was so dominant in the feature race on Boxing Day that he won it on four occasions - 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990.

As Kauto Star has won the last two renewals, immortality awaits. But, as a French-bred eight-year-old, some suggest he may be possibly past his best, and a laboured display at Haydock last time out added fuel to that theory.

However, champion trainer Nicholls said: "Some people say French horses don't hold their form as long - but I don't go along with that. I had Royal Auclair running last year as an 11-year-old and Cenkos too.

"You can never take away what Kauto Star has done. If he didn't win another race his record is incredible. There's only really Desert Orchid in modern times who has achieved as much as him over two miles and three.

"We are very happy with him and I think he's as good as ever.

"Last season he won the King George, finished second in the Gold Cup, second at Aintree which came too quick and won a Grade One at Down Royal first time out - he's hardly on the downgrade!"

But Nicholls has shelved plans to run Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Denman at Wincanton on Boxing Day.

The eight-year-old gelding has been sidelined since his Cheltenham win in March after he was found to be suffering from a fibrillating heart. He needs a little more time to be ready.

Kauto Star's chief market rival at Kempton is Alan King's Voy Por Ustedes, a former winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase but stepping up to three miles for the first time.

And King warned: "Kauto Star is exceptional and he'll be terribly hard to beat."

But Noel Fehily will miss out on riding the strongly-fancied Air Force One.