King George hat-trick for Kauto Star?

All eyes will be on Kauto Star (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) at 15.40 CET this afternoon as he attempts to win the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park for the third time. This is the second most important chase of the British year, only the Cheltenham Gold Cup enjoys greater prestige and there are plenty of people who prefer the Kempton race, which is run on a more straightforwatd track. There are also plenty of people prepared to knock Kauto Star following a coiuple of below-par performances, but stable confidence is high and if he is anywhere near the form he showed here last year, then he has to win. Main dangers could be Vor Por Ustedes (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) and Our Vic (David Pipe/ Timmy Murphy), who however may be better at shorter distances. This race is also the moment of truth for German-bred Air Force One, but the son of Lando could well play a major role here, as conditions should be ideal for him. However he is without his regular pilot Noel Fehily, injured in a fall on Tuesday, and trainer Charlie Mann has booked Barry Geraghty, certainly a more than adequate deputy. Mann has done really well with his German imports and also has a good chance with Laredo Sound in the following novices handicap chase at 16.15.