Aggressive winter weather may be affecting some of Paul Nicholls’ forthcoming running plans – but Kauto Star remains blissfully unaware of any such distractions at home in Somerset.

Nicholls is working towards a shot at creating history at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, when Kauto Star could become the first horse ever to win the William Hill King George VI Chase five times.

After making a successful reappearance in the JNWine.com Champion Chase in Northern Ireland, Nicholls and owner Clive Smith elected against an audacious attempt at winning the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in favour of preserving the brilliant gelding for Kempton.

Nicholls admits time is no longer on Kauto Star’s side as he approaches the age of 11 but, as he surveyed him in his showcase box at Manor Farm Stables in Ditcheat, the champion trainer has never seen his charge’s skin looking better.

“Clive and I decided the King George was the priority and his preparation has gone exactly as we wanted,” Nicholls said. “As we saw last year, he improved from the Betfair Chase to the King George, and hopefully he’ll show the same improvement from Down Royal to the King George.”

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Category: Horse Racing

Sven-Goran Eriksson has continued his recruitment drive at LEICESTER by signing West Brom striker Roman Bednar on loan.

Former England boss Eriksson is also poised to bring in Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland before Thursday’s emergency loan deadline passes.

Bednar, 27, has scored 30 goals in 85 appearances for Albion but is currently well down the pecking order at The Hawthorns.

Kirkland will become Eriksson’s sixth signing since the Swede took over at the beginning of last month, joining loan signings Bednar, Kyle Naughton, Curtis Davies and Greg Cunningham and free agent Darius Vassell.

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Category: Soccer