Kempton Preview: Kauto Star can confirm his status as the best chaser in Britain by taking the King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.

On official ratings, Paul Nicholls's stable star has at least 10lb in hand on his rivals in the Grade One showpiece, and although bound to go off at skinny odds, he is a more than worthy favourite.

The six-year-old is in the mould of the legendary Desert Orchid, demonstrating his versatility in terms of the trip with a win in the three-mile Betfair Chase, followed by an equally impressive victory in the two-mile Tingle Creek Trophy.

Desert Orchid himself took that Sandown event before going on to King George glory in 1988, and the manner of his wins suggests it is going to take an exceptional horse to stop Kauto Star doing the same.

Straw Bear can move a step closer to a £1-million bonus with victory in the Stan James Christmas Hurdle. The massive windfall is on offer to any horse who can win the Fighting Fifth, Christmas and Champion Hurdles this season.

The Diesis gelding already has the first leg in the bag by virtue of a convincing performance at Newcastle on his seasonal reappearance, running out a five-length winner over Noble Request.

After taking top rank among the novices last term, Straw Bear seems to have improved again for his summer break and travelled well throughout at Newcastle before taking it up at the third-last and breezing home.

Nick Gifford's charge is still only lightly raced over hurdles but there could be plenty more to come yet.

Knowhere has been running in top handicap company this term but he is fancied to make the step up to Grade One level in the Novices' Chase.