Racing: Paul Nicholls has leapt to the defence of Kauto Star as Clive Smith's chaser attempts to join Desert Orchid by winning the Stan James King George VI Chase for three years in succession.
There have been plenty of dual winners of the Christmas cracker but only David Elsworth's gallant grey and the Dickinsons' Wayward Lad have won the race more than twice.
In fact, Dessie was so dominant at the Sunbury venue that he won the race on four occasions - 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990. Wayward Lad's three wins came over a four-year period.
As Kauto Star has won the last two renewals immortality awaits but as a French-bred eight-year-old, some suggest he may be possibly past his best, and a laboured display at Haydock last time added fuel to that theory.
However, Nicholls said: "Some people say these French horses don't hold their form as long but I don't go along with that.
"I had Royal Auclair running last year as an 11-year-old and Cenkos held his form too. If you look after them it doesn't matter where they are from, a lot of the Irish horses end up with problems and they hardly run in the early days.
"In some ways I think the French horses have an advantage. When do you want them at their best? At seven or eight or 10 or 11? It's probably seven or eight.
"You can never take away what he has done. If he didn't win another race, what he's done is an incredible record. There's only really Desert Orchid in modern times who has achieved as much as him over two miles and three.
"We are very happy with him and think he's as good as ever.
"Last season he won the King George, finished second in the Gold Cup, second at Aintree which came too quick and won a Grade One at Down Royal first time out, he's hardly on the downgrade.
"Some people think they are machines and expect them to win doing a triple handstand and wave to the crowd."
Kauto Star's chief market rival is Alan King's Voy Por Ustedes, a former winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase but stepping up to three miles for the first time.
"He's had a great preparation and it was always the plan to go straight from the Old Roan Chase to Kempton. He had a school last week and I'm very happy with him," said King.
"Kauto Star is an exceptional horse and he'll be terribly hard to beat and we obviously hope Voy Por will get the trip but until he does it there is no guarantee.
"We'll certainly go out there riding him as if he will get the trip and let's hope he arrives there fit and well.
"The thing is round Kempton they are going to go very quick and there is no place where you can fill up again.
"There is actually more chance you could get three miles at Cheltenham as up and down the hills you get a chance to fill the lungs a bit more.
"We've got to go there positive and we do think he'll get the trip so it will be interesting."
Hennessy Gold Cup runner-up Air Force One takes his chance but without usual pilot Noel Fehily who suffered a suspected broken collar bone at Fontwell on Tuesday. Barry Geraghty or Paul Carberry will take his place.
While Air Force One has proved he stays three miles, Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander has yet to win over that trip.
The seven-year-old is, however, bred to get the distance.
"The stamina is there," insisted his trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.
"He's fine and everything has gone to plan."
Exotic Dancer has been declared but is expected to run at Leopardstown in the Lexus Chase on Sunday.
Stan James UK King George VI Chase; sponsors bet: 5-4 Kauto Star, 7-2 Voy Por Ustedes, 8-1 Air Force One, 9-1 Our Vic, 10-1 Imperial Commander, 18-1 Tamarinbleu, 20-1 Snoopy Loopy, 33-1 Exotic Dancer, Albertas Run, 40-1 Briareus, 1000-1 Mont Misere.