Paul Nicholls’ Kauto Star will have to wait until 15 January for an attempt at a fifth successive win in the €235,000 King George VI Chase.
A frozen track on St Stephen’s Day caused the delayed festival to be postponed until the middle of next month. It had been hoped that temperatures would rise above freezing, but they didn’t get higher than -2C on Sunday, with the covers frozen to the grass.
“We are naturally bitterly disappointed to have lost the William Hill Winter Festival to the severe winter weather,” Kempton Park’s MD Amy Starkey said.
“Everyone at the racecourse did all that they could to get racing on, but the elements defeated us. However, we – and all of our partners within racing – are delighted that the two major races will be held on William Hill Lanzarote Hurdle day.
“Though it has not taken place at Christmas as we expected, the whole of racing can now start looking forward once again to Kauto Star’s bid to win a record-breaking fifth William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Park.
“We will be making all the necessary arrangements for Saturday, January 15th and will make announcements about race times and admission prices this week.”
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