[Novo]

Kauto Star entered racing's record books at Kempton here on Saturday as the first horse to win four consecutive King George VI Chases.

The 8-13 favourite, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Ruby Walsh, demolished the field for a runaway success over Madison du Berlais with Barbers Shop, running in the colours of The Queen, third.

Desert Orchid also won this Boxing Day showpiece four times but in the space of five years between 1986-91.

Kauto Star rewrote history in style as he won by a record-breaking 'distance', having cruised to the front on the home turn and popping over the final three fences to cement his claim as the best steeplechaser since Arkle reigned in the 1960s.

Kauto Star, who was bred and raced in France before joining champion trainer Nicholls' West Country stable in 2004, was landing his 13th Grade One chase, and it was very probably his best ever performance.

The grey Nacarat set off at a fast pace tracked by Imperial Commander, who had got to within a whisker of beating Kauto Star at Haydock in November.

But Nigel Twiston-Davies' second favourite made a terrible blunder at the second which put paid to his assault on the champion's crown.

Walsh had Kauto Star travelling in sixth position before releasing the reins to cruise upsides Nacarat after the fourth last.

From then on the race was over as a contest as Kempton Park's traditional bumper Boxing Day crowd cheered their hero home.

"I said before the race that I'd never seen Kauto Star better, I knew he was at his best, I can't believe how much he has improved," glowed Nicholls.

The policeman's son added: "He's got it all, he jumps, he's got pace, and he stays. And isn't Ruby brilliant too, they're made for each other."

As for Walsh he could only marvel at Kauto Star's achievement.

"To win the King George four years on the trot is incredible."

David Pipe, trainer of runner-up Madison du Berlais, said: "We thought if we could make the frame today we'd be happy but Kauto Star is one in a million, a very, very good horse."

Next up for Kauto Star will be the defence of his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown, and on this evidence not even his brilliant stablemate Denman will get much of a look on in chasing's blue riband in March.

Sponsors Totesport make Kauto Star their 5-4 favourite from 2-1 for a third Gold Cup with Denman at 2-1 and 12-1 bar the front two.

Another British bookmaker, William Hill who sponsor the King George, make Nichols' superstar 6-4 to win a fifth edition in 2010.



The Greatest Racing Horse Ever.