Kempton can make Kauto a real star

Every signal appeared to be green yesterday as he surged clear of stable companion Armaturk in the early morning light on Paul Nicholls' gallops.

Nicholls, the champion trainer, watched with satisfaction before delivering a bulletin that will hardly comfort his rivals in the Stan James King George VI Chase.

"Armaturk is a classy two miler, but Kauto made him look like a slowcoach," he said.

"People can still pick holes in the form of his three victories this season if they want to, but I couldn't be happier with his current well-being.

"The pressure was much tougher last time when I brought him back to two miles at Sandown. That was the most pressure I've ever felt, knowing there were plenty of snipers out there had it gone wrong. But he came through it with flying colours.

"Those three runs have brought him on. He's better now than at any time since he's been here."

It is worth pointing out that Desert Orchid was a 16-1 outsider the day he gained the first of four victories in the King George. Until then, he had never raced over three miles, while Kauto Star, an odds-on chance on Tuesday, has already won over the trip.

"If he wins this on top of his three previous races it will put him right up there," said Nicholls.

In his days as a jockey, Nicholls was usually riding at Newton Abbot on Boxing Day.

"I never looked like getting a ride in the King George," he said. "The only horse I rode that might have been good enough was Playschool, but Kempton was out for him because he had to go left handed."