Last Updated: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 15:06
Kauto Star became the second horse to win three years in succesion in the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
The Paul Nicholls trained eight-year-old came into the meeting having been beaten last time out at Haydock, a result no one expected.
There were no such surprises this time though and Kauto Star became the second horse to win the race three years in a row, a feat previously only achieved by Desert Orchid.
Nicholl's praised Kauto Star and confirmed the horse would not race again until the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
He said: "I wish some people would give him the respect he deserves,
"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."