Ticket sales for the William Hill Winter Festival have tripled in the 24 hours after it was announced that Kauto Star would run in the King George VI Chase. (credit: Carine06)
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Ticket sales for the William Hill Winter Festival have tripled in the 24 hours after it was announced that Kauto Star would run in the King George VI Chase.
The confirmation that the superstar racehorse would take his place in the line-up on Boxing Day was made on Monday by his owner Clive Smith and trainer Paul Nicholls.
Kauto Star, who will be 12 years old on 1 January, won the race in four consecutive years from 2006. A fifth win would create a new record, surpassing Desert Orchid's four wins.
The racecourse's managing director Amy Starkey explained to Cheltenhampro: "Everyone is so excited about seeing Kauto take on the current champion Long Run again. Immediately it was confirmed that he would take his place in the race on Boxing Day, ticket orders by 'phone and online began to surge. Booking early is our advice."
While Boxing Day is the major attraction for sports fans, ticket sales for the second day of the Festival are up on advance bookings at this time 12 months ago.
Long Run, as well as Kauto Star's stable mate Master Minded, are among the remaining horses that could part in the big £180,000 race Boxing Day. Among the potential runners are the sole Irish challenger and Arkle Trophy winner Noble Prince and trainer Henrietta Knight's Somersby.
Long Run opened a new era for jump racing when he triumphed in the delayed Kempton Park showpiece last January before going on to Cheltenham Festival glory.
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