Kauto heads star-studded Kempton field

Kauto Star tops 14 confirmed entries for the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Schindlers Hunt, who is trained in Ireland by Dessie Hughes, is the most notable absentee from today's list as all the big guns stood their ground for the Grade One showpiece event.

Kauto Star is bidding for a fourth consecutive success in the race for Paul Nicholls - to equal the record achieved by the great grey Desert Orchid in the late 1980s and early 1990s - and has most to fear from Imperial Commander, according to the betting.

The Nigel Twiston-Davies gelding ran a great race when just beaten by Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month.

David Pipe has left both Madison Du Berlais, winner of last season's Hennessy Gold Cup, and Our Vic in the race while Barbers Shop, a rare representative over the jumps for The Queen, will also take his chance at Kempton.

Charlie Hall and Peterborough Chase winner Deep Purple is another leading player while Henrietta Knight has left in Racing Demon, who disappointed in that Huntingdon race.