Kauto Star is odds-on for the King George after an impressive return to action at Down Royal.

Paul Nicholls' eight-year-old didn't come off the bridle when recording an 11 length success in Northern Ireland and bookmakers were quick to amend their ante-post odds for the Christmas showpiece at Kempton.

Blue Square originally went 5/4 from 11/8 for the King George but were soon forced into even money, while Sky Bet went 11/10 from 6/4 for the race.

King George sponsors Stan James also went even money from 11/8, but the bookmakers who took the most drastic action were William Hill, who go 8/11 from 5/4.

Kate Miller, spokeswoman for Hills, said: ''There seems little doubt that Kauto's star is still shining after today's victory. We were extremely impressed with the manner of his win today. Apart from getting in a little close to a couple of fences, his jumping was foot-perfect, and there seems little between him and a third King George victory at Christmas.''