McCoy's star shining with Kauto ride

Tony McCOY is to ride Kauto Star in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, after Noel Fehily ruled himself out.

The 15-time champion jockey has been booked by trainer Paul Nicholls after Fehily stood himself down following the recurrence of his wrist problem.

McCoy said: "It's every jockey's dream to ride a horse like Kauto Star - what he has achieved, winning four King Georges and two Gold Cups and many other races as well, you can't not but look forward to riding him.

"Trevor Hemmings, who owns Albertas Run, was very kind to give me the opportunity to ride Kauto Star instead of Albertas Run, so thanks to Trevor for that."

Fehily had been set to replace Ruby Walsh, who is recovering from a leg injury, but the wrist injury he suffered in a fall at Newbury last month has flared up again after he rode at Kempton on Tuesday.

Nicholls revealed on Twitter that McCoy would partner the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero in his bid to win the Christmas showpiece for an unprecedented fifth time.

Walsh partnered Clive Smith's 10-year-old to his four previous King George successes.

McCoy, who landed the big race on Best Mate in 2002, has now capped a memorable few days after being voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year.