Big Names Heading Towards the King George

While Kauto Star was able to earn all the plaudits after rolling back the years to defeat the Betfair Chase crowd, Long Run's connections will be out looking for revenge in the 2011 King George on Boxing Day. Anybody who follows jumps racing will remember that last year's King George marked the decline of Kauto Star when Long Run was able to get the best of him. The six-year-old chaser was then able to topple the living legend again in the seasonal showpiece the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

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It looks as though the match-up between these two could be the defining narrative in the National Hunt season with pundits wondering whether Kauto Star is truly ready to pass the torch to the next generation chasing star.

The bookmakers remain confident in Long Run for the King George and they've got him floated as the betting favourite with a 13/8 price tag.

Master Minded is also in the mix for this one and that's going to bring an extra element of danger for Long Run, and it will also give punters a chance to get a great price on Master Minded.

Anybody looking to take Master Minded out of the equation, you can jump in on the very popular match bet between Long Run and Kauto Star where Long Run trades as the very slim 1/2 favourite with the veteran chaser priced at 6/4.

As the main market continues to mature, there are only four contenders trading at single digit odds. The aforementioned Long Run is anywhere from 13/8 to 5/4 depending on who you're betting with while Kauto Star is trading at 4/1 – down sharply from 10/1 earlier in the season. Master Minded trades at a solid 11/2 while Captain Chris remains an intriguing option anywhere between 6/1 and 8/1. The Arkle/Ryanair winner unseated Richard Johnson in his seasonal debut but wasn't looking fluent and calmed down – likely needing the race.

Somersby got the better of Aiteen Thirtythree in his seasonal debut and put in a brave shift to finish second to Master Minded last time out at Ascot. He's well-priced anywhere from 12/1-16/1 and could be an outside each-way selection. Kauto Stone carries an entry for this one and his price will like drop an, ahem, stone should be win the Tingle Creek this weekend. Not much is known about this horse but his name and connections get all jumps fans excited. The 20/1 you'll find on him at a few bookmakers brings him into each-way contention. An all Kauto forecast?

Other notables include Wishfull Thinking as high as 25/1, Weird Al anywhere from 16/1 to 25/1, Diamond Harry at 25s, Medermit at 33s, Planet of Sound at a hefty 50/1 and Tartak trading at 66/1.