The King George VI Chase at Kempton - in pictures

After four straight victories in the King George VI Chase, Kauto Star lost his crown to Long Run last year. The two will reprise their rivalry with another contender, Master Minded, hoping to become a new name on the winner's board Photograph: guardian.co.uk

These racegoers are making their allegiance clear – Kauto Star it is. Evidently defeats by Long Run in the King George last year and in the Gold Cup haven't tempered their support for the veteran Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Kauto Star is just short of his 12th birthday. Safe to say these two won't remember him from his pomp. Nice jumpers though Photograph: guardian.co.uk

The first race of the day is watched by a huge crowd Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Some of them are especially keen to track their chosen horses Photograph: guardian.co.uk

The race ends with Tetlami beating Vulcanite ... TV presenter Anthony McPartlin looks mighty pleased Photograph: guardian.co.uk

As strong winds swirl around the racecourse, spectators have to keep hold of their hats. Either that, or this chap is just perfecting the art of Tic Tac Photograph: guardian.co.uk

In the Feltham Novices Chase, Grand Crus makes a mistake at the last fence but still goes on to win Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Sam Waley-Cohen, left, who'll be riding Long Run later, enters the racecourse carrying his saddle. His father and owner of the horse Robert Waley-Cohen is by his side Photograph: guardian.co.uk

The 2010 Champion Hurdle winner Binocular, left, ridden by Tony McCoy, hangs on to win the Christmas Hurdle. The 5-4 favourite was chased hard over the closing hurdles by Rock On Ruby, right Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Ruby Walsh is the jockey on board Kauto Star for the main race. He looks to be in a competitive mood – Walsh, that is Photograph: guardian.co.uk

His rival is rather more relaxed Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Typically, Kauto Star takes up a prominent position early in the race and helps to set the pace Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Kauto is jumping smoothly under the guidance of Walsh, but the same cannot be said for Long Run who is dicing with danger Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Kauto heads the run-in and despite Long Run's best effort to reel him in, the older horse wins by a comfortable length Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Five King George titles for Kauto – one more finger, Ruby, and you've got it nailed Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Paul Nicholls is there to greet the winner as they return to the winner's enclosure. It's not only a victory for Kauto over Long Run, but a victory for Nicholls over rival trainer Nicky Henderson Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Despite a tendon injury to his other charge, Master Minded, Nicholls revels in Kauto's latest success. He's so delighted, in fact, that he's touting Kauto for a third Gold Cup victory this year: 'If he gets to Cheltenham in that form he'll be the one to beat,' he said Photograph: guardian.co.uk