Kicking off the Grade 1 action from Kempton Park on Boxing Day is the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase of 2025 over the King George course and distance of three miles. This edition sees a small but select field of half-a-dozen declared with John Francome winner Wendigo crying out for the step up in trip.
If Jamie Snowden thought he’d have an easy race after his Cheltenham horse (Albert Bartlett fifth) battled to land that Newbury Grade 2 at the end of November, then he can think again. Wendigo now takes on the three horses who fought out the finish in Sandown’s Select Hurdle across Greater London from Kempton back in April.
Just three-quarters of a length separated Blueking d’Oroux, Salver and Kitzbuhel at Esher in the spring. The Select Hurdle trio now take each other on again off level weights. That means Blueking d’Oroux meets Salver off 3lb better terms and enjoys a 2lb swing with Kitzbuhel.
Like Wendigo, the Sandown front two (separated by a head) come into the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase of 2025 off the back of Grade 2 victories over fences. Blueking d’Oroux delivered at local course Wincanton to Paul Nicholls’ Ditcheat base in the Rising Stars. It’s a piece of form that looks weak on paper, relative to this higher level.
A double on the day for @gl_racing as Salver produces a special @BetfairRacing Esher Novices’ Chase effort, under a patient and classy ride from @quinn_caoilin 👏 pic.twitter.com/J04hKdnqoX
— Sandown Park (@Sandownpark) December 5, 2025
As for Salver, he produced a career-best when routing Exeter Silver Bowl winner Doyen Quest by a dozen lengths in the Esher Novices’ Chase over this trip back at Sandown for Gary & Josh Moore. Kitzbuhel, meanwhile, landed a Punchestown beginners event over 2m 3f from a stable companion. Those two pulled well clear of the remainder.
Mullins running one in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase of 2025 looks a serious statement of intent as he pursues a third consecutive British Trainers Championship.
Stamina Laden Pedigree Suggests Kitzbuhel Could Come into His Own
Kitzbuhel has abundant stamina in his breeding. On the dam side, he’s from the family of Neptune Collonges and Silviniaco Conti, who excelled over this course and distance, while his sire produces staying types as well. Drying ground is a slight concern for Kitzbuhel, however, as most of his career wins so far came on soft or heavy going.
Such conditions look unlikely here, though, but stepping him up in trip to three miles for the first time may negate that. Another worry for punters fancying Kitzbuhel on Cheltenham betting sites here is his best form is on undulating and galloping tracks. Kempton simply isn’t like that.
Salver, meanwhile, has seen his Exeter third over what turned out to be too sharp a trip franked by the front two. Lulamba came out and landed the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown earlier in the month. The runner-up, Fingle Bridge, finish alone in a match around Uttoxeter in the mud. Going to the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase is the logical next step.
On the John Francome run, Wendigo has nothing to worry about from re-opposing fourth Crest Of Fortune as he put almost 10 lengths between them at the line. As the second, No Questions Asked, filled the same spot in the Noel Novices’ Chase at Ascot before Christmas and third home, Regent’s Stroll, took a Wincanton match, this form isn’t too shabby.
Philip Hobbs has won this before with an eight-year-old before in Thyme Hill, but it is relatively late in the career of Thomas Mor trying fences again. He won a three-horse beginners event at Ascot that rather fell apart. Runner-up Jet To Vegas hasn’t looked a natural over fences, while Lucky Place failed again in a match around Newbury.
Kauto Star Novices’ Chase 2025 Shortlist & Verdict
The market has the right three horses at its head. There are sufficient concerns to take Kitzbuhel on, for all he should relish the longer trip but in more testing conditions around a proper galloping track. Salver has exposed himself over fences at the distance, but won in such style that he may well do so again. WENDIGO really does need this stamina test, just as much as Kitzbuhel, so gets the nod.
