CHAMPION jockey Tony McCoy yesterday got acquainted with champion racehorse Kauto Star ahead of the William Hill King George VI Chase.

McCoy has been called up by Paul Nicholls to ride the ten-year-old as stable jockey Ruby Walsh is out with a broken leg and his first choice replacement Noel Fehily stood himself down with a wrist injury.

History beckons for the pair if Kauto Star is successful, as no horse has ever won the mid-season highlight five times, with Clive Smith’s chaser equalling Desert Orchid’s previous record of four 12 months ago.

Nicholls said: ‘‘AP (McCoy) and Kauto jumped 40 fences and did one canter once up Ditcheat Hill and got on great.’’ Earlier Nicholls reported Kauto Star to be in ‘‘amazing form’’ and that he cannot wait for the big day to arrive.

‘‘He won his prep race nicely, he’s gone ever so well since and I’m very happy with him.

He’s been in really good order,’’ said the Ditcheat handler.

‘‘His record is incredible.

That’s 14 Grade Ones he’s won. He’s won 17 races for us and not been out of the first two each time he’s got round.

‘‘That speaks for itself. He’s an amazing horse and, at the moment, he’s in amazing form.”

Nicky Henderson would appear to have the best chance of stopping Kauto Star and he could not be happier with Riverside Theatre and Long Run.

‘‘It’s not us that has overhyped Long Run,’’ said the Seven Barrows handler.

‘‘He’s a very good horse and he will get there (to the top).

He’s got plenty of time.

‘‘Riverside Theatre is completely in love with Kempton and that’s why he’s going there. He’s unbeaten there.

‘‘Three miles is a bit of a guess but he ought to get it.

He’s very talented, we’ve nurtured him a bit and he’ll go the right way.

‘‘If he stays three miles then he’s going to be top class.’’ Barry Geraghty is looking forward to getting the leg-up on Riverside Theatre, owned by actor James Nesbitt.

‘‘He’s won four out of four at Kempton so he really likes the place,’’ said Geraghty.

‘‘It’s a stiff task to take on Kauto Star, but he’s as good a chance as anything.

‘‘We tended to feel that he would stay towards the second half of his novice career.

He stayed two and a half miles well so there’s no reason he won’t stay. I’m definitely looking forward to that.”

Tom George believes Nacarat, fourth in the race last year, will have lots in his favour.

‘‘I’m thrilled with him.

We’ve been lucky in so much as we’ve been able to keep the gallop going, so he hasn’t missed a day’s cantering,’’ said the Gloucestershire trainer.

‘‘The only two times he’s had good ground in the last two years he’s won the Racing Post Chase and the Charlie Hall, so that will be in his favour."