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January Date for King George
27/12/10

Kauto Star's bid to land a record fifth successive William Hill King George VI Chase will be staged in mid-January.

Kauto Star
© Grossick Racing Photography

Paul Nicholls' brilliant chaser will have to wait until Kempton's next jumps meeting on Saturday, January 15, to go one better than Desert Orchid, who won the showcase contest four times (1986, 1988-90).

The relevant parties acted quickly to save the King George and the Christmas Hurdle after both days of the festive fixture fell foul of the big freeze.

The Sunbury track, with the help of the British Horseracing Authority, sponsors William Hill and the Levy Board, managed to re-schedule the two contests.

Kempton managing director Amy Starkey said: "We are naturally bitterly disappointed to have lost the William Hill Winter Festival to the severe winter weather. Everyone at the racecourse did all that they could to get racing on, but the elements defeated us.

"However, we - and all of our partners within racing - are delighted that the two major races will be held on William Hill Lanzarote Hurdle day.

"Though it has not taken place at Christmas as we expected, the whole of racing can now start looking forward once again to Kauto Star's bid to win a record-breaking fifth William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Park.

"We will be making all the necessary arrangements for Saturday, January 15, and will make announcements about race times and admission prices this week."

The BHA will confirm the finalised details for both races in the next few days.

Kempton had done their best to stage Monday's card but like with the Sunday programme, had to admit defeat to the weather, with clerk of the course Barney Clifford reporting: "There is no chance of the frost coming out of the ground."