Kauto Star became the first horse since Desert Orchid to win the King George VI Chase three times with a scintillating display at Kempton today.

The Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old gave his army of supporters a slight scare when slightly misjudging the final fence but he never looked like falling and crossed the line eight lengths clear of Albertas Run, with Voy Por Ustedes a valiant third.

Kauto Star was gaining his tenth win at the highest level and Nicholls was swift to have a swipe at those who had questioned whether he was still the same force after a below-par run at Haydock last month.

“I wish some people would give him the respect he deserves," Nicholls said. “I’m so pleased for the horse, not anyone else, just him.

“I wish I hadn’t run him last time at Haydock - it was not Sam Thomas’ finest hour but we knew we had him back. When he’s right, he’s a very good horse. He definitely won’t run before the Gold Cup and I can safely say he will only have the one run next year before the King George.”

Ruby Walsh, his jockey, said: “What a horse. Three King Georges, a Gold Cup, two Tingle Creeks ... you wouldn’t mind owning him, would you? He’s a superstar.”

Our Vic and Imperial Commander put the pace to the race but, all the time, your eye was drawn to the way that Kauto Star was travelling.

His jumping was not without blemish but, equally, he put in some fantastic leaps and when Walsh eased him to the front before the turn for home, the writing was on the wall.

Alberta’s Run was dashed up to throw down a challenge by Tony McCoy but it proved shortlived, Kauto Star putting his seal on the race with a leap that Desert Orchid himself would have been proud of at the second last.

Kauto Star did not meet the last anywhere near so fluently but it merely added a bit of late drama for the bumper crowd.

King George VI Chase

1 Kauto Star (R Walsh) 10-11 Fav

2 Albertas Run (A P McCoy) 25-1

3 Voy Por Ustedes (R Thornton) 9-2

10 ran