It is Boxing Day and racing resumes, with the big race, the King George VI Chase at Kempton. I have been through a titanic inner struggle, interrogating myself to try to see if my preference for Kauto Star in this event is sentimental or rational. If Kauto wins, he will join Desert Orchid in the record books, the latter being the only horse so far to have won the event three times in succession. The opposition, headed in the betting by Voy Por Ustedes, are impressive, but if Kauto is at his best, they cannot touch him.
Kempton 130: Massinis Maguire
Wetherby 145: Cloudy Lane
Kempton 205: Punjabi
Kempton 240: Kauto Star