Stan James King George VI Chase Betting Tips

Kauto Star made a hugely impressive seasonal reappearance in the Bonusprint.com Old Roan Chase at Aintree on Sunday, propelling himself to the head of the Stan James King George VI Chase betting, for which the sponsors make him 7-2 clear favourite, while bet365 and StanJames go 4/1. This was Kauto Star's first start since falling at the third in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but Paul Nicholls' charge showed no signs of dented confidence as he jumped like a stag throughout, and duly sauntered clear in the straight to score by 21 lengths. The two and a half miles of that Grade 2 contest provided the stiffest stamina test Kauto Star has faced to date, therefore his ability to see out the three-mile trip of the King George has to be taken on trust. However, the six-year-old was showing no signs of stopping at the and, given how well he settles during his races, there's a good chance he'll stay three miles. Next best in the betting for the Boxing Day showpiece at Kempton Park is Monet's Garden, who is a best-priced 5/1 with bet365 and Ladbrokes. The Nicky Richards-trained grey has won three of his four starts thus far over fences, his sole defeat coming in the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival where he was a gallant second to Voy Por Ustedes. Formerly a high-class staying hurdler, Monet's Garden wound up last season with a four-length victory over Le Volfoni in the Ashleybank Investments Future Champion Novices' Chase at Ayr where demonstrated his élan for jumping. Connections have cited that he is best on a flat track and three miles at Kempton should be ideal for the eight-year-old. In addition to Kauto Star, Paul Nicholls has another horse prominent in the betting, last season's Royal & SunAlliance Chase and John Smith's Mildmay Novices' Chase hero Star de Mohaison, who is available at 7s with the sponsors, Ladbrokes and StanJame.com. The Sir Robert Ogden-owned gelding went from strength-to-strength last term, benefiting from being stepped up to three miles plus. Just as effective on decent going as he is on a soft surface, Star de Mohaison will need to progress significantly to trouble the likes of Kauto Star and Monet's Garden, but, at the tender age of five, he remains open to plenty of improvement. Racing Demon, a best priced 9/1 with StanJames.com, is another that is unproven over three miles. However, like Kauto Star, Henrietta Knight's charge settles and travels well during his races and the further he went, the better he went when scoring over a trip just short of two and a half miles at Exeter in February. The son of top-class flat performer Old Vic disappointed when sent off favourite for the Arkle Chase in his only subsequent start, coming home a well-beaten seventh. However, he clearly found things happening too quickly over that two-mile trip and the six-year-old will be seen in a better light when once again faced with stiffer tests this term. The French invariably have a strong contender for this even and the Arnaud Chailee-Chaille-trained Cyrlight is a 14/1 chance with Victor Chandlers. This progressive gelding boasts ample stamina, a sound jumping technique and a good cruising speed. His form is hard to evaluate and he has only raced under testing conditions so far, but he shouldn't be underestimated all the same. Monkerhostin, who failed by a rapidly diminishing neck to catch Kicking King in this race at Sandown last year, was far from disgraced when sixth to War Of Attrition in the totesport Gold Cup at the Festival on his next outing, but then proved disappointing on his final two outings of that 2005/06 campaign. But it will a surprise if this battle-hardened nine-year-old doesn't bounce back this season and make his presence felt in all the top chases he contests from around two and a half miles to three miles plus. Philip Hobbs' charge is 14/1 with bet365 and Paddy Power.