George: Nacarat is waiting to pounce if Kauto Star falters
Kauto Star may be a hot favourite to win the King George VI Chase at Kempton for a fifth time on Saturday but Nacarat could cause a surprise if the champion is out of sorts.
That's the view of Tom George ahead of the rescheduled three-mile showpiece, which was moved to its new date after the frost and snow of the December freeze led to the abandonment of the prestigious Boxing Day card.
The trainer of third-favourite Nacarat insists the grey will have benefited from having the Grade One race delayed by three weeks.
"I'm very happy with how his training programme has gone," said George. "He has had a trouble-free preparation and the delay won't be a problem.
"It is an unbelievable achievement that Kauto Star is running in his fifth King George. If Paul's [Nicholls] horse is on form, he will be unbeatable. But if there are any holes in him, I'm confident we'll be the ones who will be ready to take advantage."
Nacarat has had two runs this season, impressively winning the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in October and finishing fourth to Imperial Commander in the Lancashire Chase at Haydock the following month.
With over 25 millilitres of rain expected in total this week, the going is expected to be "on the better side of soft", according to Kempton's clerk of the course Brian Clifford.
Nacarat's form would suggest he would be more comfortable over faster ground.
However, George added: "As long as the ground isn't holding, he'll be fine. He's okay on heavy ground but just not as effective."
