Kauto Star owner Clive Smith has confirmed that a decision will be made on whether he will go for an unprecedented fifth victory in the King George VI Chase (Kauto Star – 9/2 Winner or E/W) a week before the Boxing Day meeting at Kempton.

The 11-year-old gelding has enjoyed an impressive career with two Cheltenham Gold Cup wins under his belt and four King George VI successes.

And despite Kauto Star responding to some suggestions that age is starting to catch him up with a fine win at Haydock last month, Smith and trainer Paul Nicholls are wary that he needs to be firing on all cylinders for the King George VI meeting if he has any chance of coming out on top ahead of Long Run (11/8f -  Winner or E/W).

Therefore, Smith revealed that they will give Kauto Star as long as possible before they make a firm decision about his participation.

He told the Guardian: “We’ve always said that he’s in great shape after Haydock, and he’s surprisingly good just a week and a half afterwards.

“But then he’s always been a very exceptional horse for getting fresh again after a race.

“We just want to take our time and see how he is, and we probably won’t make up our minds until a week or so before the race.

“We don’t want to say yes now, and then have him run flat.”