King George Chase

It has not yet been decided if Deep Purple will run in this year’s William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day with trainer Evan Williams concerned about taking on 3 time winner Kauto Star.

Williams has admitted that he was surprised by his eight year old geldings emphatic win in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last thursday.

“I have to admit to being a bit taken aback the way he did it. I thought it was a massive step up on his Charlie Hall run. There were a few people crabbing it saying the race fell apart, but I don’t know what else the poor old horse can do” Williams said.

“I’m not going to definitely commit to the King George because I want the dust to settle. Of course we are going to look at it and it will come under strong consideration.

“A King George is another step up and I’ve been on the receiving end of mighty beatings from Kauto Star, Denman and the like. I realise how magnificent those animals are. They are a step above and are greats.

“It is intimidating but our horse keeps raising the bar.”

After Deep Purple’s success in the Peterborough Chase, event sponsors William Hill slashed his odds for the King George VI Chase from 25/1 to 14/1.