Racing:The Aon Chase at Newbury is likely to be the next port of call for Kauto Star after he took another step on the road to greatness with victory in front of over 21,000 people in the Stan James VI King George Chase at Kempton.
Barely three weeks after his on-the-bridle win over the minimum trip in the William Hill - Tingle Creek Chase, the Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old provided plenty of festive cheer back over three miles with a brave victory under Ruby Walsh.
The 8-13 favourite gave his supporters a few scary moments when ploughing through the fourth-last but had gaining the upper hand when approaching three out.
He had opened up a distinct advantage by the time the final fence loomed and after walking through it, he was driven out to beat Exotic Dancer (9-1) by eight lengths.
Racing Demon was a further one-and-a-quarter-lengths back in third, while Monet's Garden weakened tamely after making the running and trailed home sixth of the seven finishers.
Sponsors totesport cut Kauto Star into 5-4 for the Gold Cup in March, although Coral offer a standout 2-1.
Nicholls said: "We planned to ride him like we did in the Tingle Creek here - have him about fourth and be positive.
"His best round of jumping was at Haydock when we just dropped him in.
"He is not 100% foot-perfect so we kept him wide; there was no point creeping down the inner."
Looking back on his charge's final-fence blunder, Nicholls added: "He wasn't concentrating. There's the big crowd and the big screen and he's just taken his eye off it.
"He just stepped at it, but he never looks like falling.
"He can make mistakes but let's not talk about his jumping as he keeps winning and that is what matters.
"He will probably have one more run before Cheltenham in the Aon at Newbury (February 10), and if it poured down he could go for the Game Spirit.
"He will then go for the Gold Cup unless it is a total bog, and we will ride him more like we did at Haydock - drop him in and take our time."
Walsh added: "He's a machine. I've never ridden a horse like him. It's a privilege to ride him and he'll be even better going left-handed."
Barry Simpson, racing manager to Sir Robert Ogden, owner of the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Exotic Dancer, said: "I think he has run a career-best. He didn't jump as fluently as he has in the past, but we are delighted with that.
"We will run him in a trial race over three miles, but he looks a Ryanair horse."
Henrietta Knight said of Racing Demon: "We were thrilled with him. He needs to jump a bit more economically, but he was one of the least experienced and that will come in time.
"We will take him home from here, but I think he wants at least three miles."
