Wishfull Thinking out of King George

WISHFULL Thinking and Kauto Stone were among half a dozen defectors yesterday from the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

Fifteen now remain in the Christmas feature, with the sponsors quoting the reigning champion Long Run as the 6-4 favourite.

Nicky Henderson’s gelding is joined by the likes of Paul Nicholls’ four-time winner Kauto Star and his stablemate Master Minded.

Nicholls is likely to give Kauto Stone more time to recover after his second-placed finish in last weekend’s Tingle Creek, while Wishfull Thinking is under a cloud after he weakened dramatically to finish a distant fifth.

His trainer Philip Hobbs still has the smart Captain Chris in the field while the others to drop out were Midnight Chase, Quinz, Roberto Goldback and Wayward Prince.

William Hill spokeswoman Kate Miller said: “With less than three weeks to go until Boxing Day, the racing world is now feverishly waiting to find out if Kauto Star will line up for the Kign George.”

Meanwhile, Musselburgh Racecourse has secured a sponsorship deal with Pentland Land Rover. The Edinburgh dealership will supply vehicles for staff as well as vets and dcotors on racedays.

Course general manager, Bill Farnsworth said: “Pentland Land Rover’s association with Musselburgh is an ideal fit.

“The partnership offers up benefits for both brands and in practical terms, the agreement also gives us access to Land Rovers on race days.”

As part of the sponsorship package the Friday evening race meeting on May 25 will be named the Pentland Land Rover Race Day.