King Kauto cut for Gold Cup after historic King George win

Kauto Star has been cut to 4/1 (from 10/1) by the sponsors for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup after making history by becoming the first horse to win five renewals of the King George VI Chase at Kempton this afternoon.

The evergreen eleven-year-old jumped for fun at the head of the field and had the majority of his rivals under pressure as the field turned for home and whilst Long Run chased hard, he couldn’t reel in Paul Nicholls’ gelding, who ran out the one-and-a-quarter length winner.

“Kauto Star belied his age with a breathtaking fifth success in the King George and only the bravest of punters would bet against him landing a third Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup at the Festival in March,” said Betfred spokesman George Primarolo.

Kauto Star’s victory gave no respite to the bookmakers, who were left reeling at Kempton after the first four favourites won, including the well-backed pair of Grands Crus and Binocular.

“Any chance of it being a bumper Boxing Day for the bookies evaporated after both Grands Crus and Binocular landed the spoils and Kauto Star’s record-breaking fifth victory in the King George means an estimated £5million will have been handed over to punters industry-wide,” said Betfred spokesman George Primarolo.

Coral Welsh National – Betfred bet: 11/2 Giles Cross, 8 Viking Blond, 9 Le Beau Bai, 10 Carruthers, Galaxy Rock, As De Fer, 12 Any Currency, 14 Cannington Brook, Cappa Bleu, 16 Hey Big Spender, Our Island, Ballyfitz, 18 Master Overseer, 20 Blazing Bailey, 28 Indifference Curve, 40 Mumbles Head, Knighton Combe, Or Noir de Somoza,50 Bench Warrant, Heathcliff.

¼ 1-2-3-4

Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase – Betfred bet: 4/6 Big Zeb, 9/2 Golden Silver, Noble Prince, 12 Forpadydeplasterer, 20 Saludos, 33 Scotsirish.

1/5 1-2-3

Paddy Power Chase – Betfred bet: 7 On His Own, 10 Groody Hill, Smoking Aces, 12 Sona Sasta, 14 Becauseicouldntsee, Rivage d’Or, 16 Cross Appeal, Jack The Bus, The Bishop Looney, 18 Quadrillon, 20 Ad Idem, Aigle d’Or, Montan, Some Targer, Western Charmer, 25 Alfie Sherrin, Head Of The Posse, Treacle, 33 Aranleigh, Bob Lingo, Leanne, See U Bob, Tharawaat, The Hurl, 40 Hughies Grey, 50 Head Waiter, Jadanli, Whatuthink.

¼ 1-2-3-4

Lexus Chase – Betfred bet: 6/4Quito de la Roque, 3 Rubi Light, 4 Joncol, 8 Noland, 12 Bostons Angel, Magnaminity, 14 Synchronised, 16 Cooldine, 20 China Rock, 25 Follow The Plan, Roberto Goldback, Roi du Mee, 33 The Midnight Club.

1/5 1-2-3

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Betfred bet: 10Sous Les Cieux, Steps To Freedom, Waaheb, 12 Galileo’s Choice, Prospect Wells, 14 Simonsig, 14 (from 16) Tetlami, 16 Cinders And Ashes, Darlan, 20 Allure Of Illusion, Colour Squadron, Dandino, Montbazon.

¼ 1-2-3

Irish Independent Arkle Chase – Betfred bet: 7/2 Peddlers Cross, 6 Al Ferof, Sprinter Sacre, 11 Menorah, 16 Cue Card, For Non Stop, Spirit Son, Walkon, 20 Salden Licht, 33 Kumbeshwar.

¼ 1-2-3

Stan James Champion Hurdle – Betfred bet: 7/4Hurricane Fly, 6 Grandouet, 9 Spirit Son, Zarkandar, 12 (from 14) Binocular, Rock On Ruby, 14 Oscar Whisky, Thousand Stars, 20 Unaccompanied, 25 Brampour, Menorah, Oscars Well, Overturn, Sprinter Sacre, 33 The Real Article.

¼ 1-2-3

Neptune Novices’ Hurdle – Betfred bet: 9/2 Fingal Bay, 10 Sous Les Cieux, 12 Boston Bob, Simonsig, 14 Dandino, Wandering Aengus, 16 Broadbackbob, 20 Allure Of Illusion, Colour Squadron, Fourth Estate, Montbazon, Oscar Magic, 25 Mount Benbulben, Texas Jack.

¼ 1-2-3

Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase – Betfred bet: 11/4 Sizing Europe, 11/2 Big Zeb, 7 Finian’s Rainbow, 9 Captain Chris, 14 Master Minded, 16 Noble Prince, Realt Dubh, 20 Kauto Stone, 25 Captain Cee Bee, Gauvain, Flat Out, 33 Ghizao, Golden Silver, Medermit.

¼ 1-2-3

RSA Chase – Betfred bet: 2 (from 4) Grand Crus, 8 Bog Warrior, 9 Bobs Worth, Silviniaco Conti, 14 First Lieutenant, Join Together, Sir Des Champs, Sonofvic, 16 Last Instalment, 20 Mossley, 25 Back In Focus, Hidden Cyclone, Mr Moonshine, Tornado Bob.

¼ 1-2-3

Ryanair Chase – Betfred bet: 6Master Minded, Noble Prince, 8 Riverside Theatre, 9 Rubi Light, 10 Albertas Run, Captain Chris, Kauto Stone, 12 Great Endeavour, 14 Kalahari King, Sizing Europe, 16 Poquelin, Somersby, Wishfull Thinking, 20 Medermit, Realt Dubh, 33 Mon Parrain.

¼ 1-2-3

Ladbrokes World Hurdle – Betfred bet: 4/7Big Buck’s, 6 Oscar Whisky, 7 Thousand Stars, 12 Bobs Worth, 14 Mourad, Zaidpour, 16 Overturn, So Young, 25 Dynaste, First Lieutenant, Fiveforthree, Solwhit.

¼ 1-2-3

JCB Triumph Hurdle – Betfred bet: 7 Baby Mix, 12 Hinterland, Minsk, 16 Urbain de Sivola, 20 Dildar, Ranjaan, 25 Hollow Tree, 33 Sam Bass.

¼ 1-2-3

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – Betfred bet: 5Fingal Bay, 10 Boston Bob, Simonsig, 14 Make Your Mark, Sea Of Thunder, Sous Les Cieux, 16 Mount Benbulben, Samain, 20 Captain Sunshine, King’s Grace, Ongenstown Lad, Bold Optimist, Sword Of Destiny.

¼ 1-2-3

Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup – sponsors bet: 5/2 Long Run, 4 (from 10) Kauto Star, 10 (from 16) Grands Crus, 12 Quito de la Roque, 16 Captain Chris, Rubi Light, 20 Time For Rupert, Weird Al, 25 Diamond Harry, 33 Jessies Dream, 40 Bostons Angel, Burton Port, What A Friend.

¼ 1-2-3

John Smith’s Grand National – Betfred bet: 16Ballabriggs, Junior, 20 Beshabar, Oscar Time, Shakalakaboomboom, West End Rocker, 25 Always Right, Chicago Grey, Don’t Push It, Galaxy Rock, Killyglen, The Midnight Club, The Minack, 33 Alfa Beat, Always Waining, Baby Run, Backstage, Becauseicouldntsee, Gentle Ranger, Merigo, Midnight Chase, Niche Market, Our Monty, Poker de Sivola, Quinz, State Of Play, Sunnyhillboy, Western Charmer, What A Friend, 40 Big Fella Thanks.

¼ 1-2-3-4