Champion trainer Paul Nicholls and owner Clive Smith announced the news at the annual King George lunch – in front of an audience including MPs, Press, and connections of this year’s runners.

The veteran chaser – who silenced his critics with an astonishing performance in the Betfair Chase is now a 4-1 chance with sponsors William Hill, second-favourite behind reigning champion – and 6-4 favourite – Long Run.

The news means that owner Clive Smith’s green, yellow, purple colours will this year be carried by two King George hopefuls with 5-1 chance Master Minded also fielding for him. Captain Chris, Somersby and Diamond Harry, all follow thereafter.

Kate Miller, spokeswoman for William Hill, said: ”This was the early Christmas gift that racing fans had hoped for. Debate can now rage over turkey, trimmings, and celebrations as to who will emerge the victor“

WILLIAM HILL KING GEORGE VI CHASE BETTING & SPECIALS

William Hill King George VI Chase: 6-4 Long Run, 4-1 Kauto Star, 5-1 Master Minded, 8-1 Captain Chris, 12-1 Somersby, 14-1 Riverside Theatre, 16-1 Diamond Harry, Weird Al, 20-1 Noble Prince, 25-1 Planet Of Sound, 33-1 Medermit, Nacarat, 40-1 Noland, 66-1 Golan Way, Tartak, The Giant Bolster – all quoted (EW ¼ 1,2,3)

William Hill King George VI Chase – betting w/o Long Run: 3-1 Kauto Star, 7-2 Master Minded, 9-2 Captain Chris, 7-1 Somersby, 10-1 Riverside Theatre, 12-1 Diamond Harry, 14-1 Noble Prince, Weird Al, 16-1 Planet Of Sound, 20-1 Nacarat, 25-1 Medermit, 33-1 Golan Way, Noland, 50-1 Tartak, The Giant Bolster (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

King George VI Chase match bet: 1-2 – Long Run vs Kauto Star – 6-4 (both must run or bets void)

Paul Nicholls to train winner of the William Hill King George VI Chase: 2-1

Paul Nicholls to train the first and second in the William Hill king George: 10-1

The winner of the William Hill King George to go on and win the Cheltenham Gold cup: 2-1

Previous Kings match bet: 8-11 – Long Run & Kauto Star vs The Field – evens

By how far will Long Run win the William Hill King George?: 4-1 under five lengths, 4-1 five lengths or more (if long run does not win all bets will be settled as losers)

William Hill King George VI Chase & Cheltenham Gold Cup 2012 double: 6-1 Long Run, 33-1 Kauto Star, 33-1 Master Minded, 100-1 Weird Al, 150-1 Diamond Harry,

William Hill King George VI Chase forecast betting: 9-1 Long Run to beat Kauto Star, 10-1 Long Run to beat Master Minded, 11-1 Kauto Star to beat Long Run, 16-1 Kauto Star to beat Master Minded, 12-1 Master Minded to beat Long Run, 20-1 Master Minded to beat Kauto Star

National Hunt Trainers’ Championship 2011/12: 2-5 Paul Nicholls, 7-4 Nicky Henderson, 33-1 Donald McCain, 50-1 Philip Hobbs

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William Hill News | horse-racing

Didier Drogba and Wayne Rooney are the early frontrunners in Betfair’s new Premier League top goalscorer market, with last season’s top two kicking off at 5.8 and 6.2 respectively to claim the Golden Boot.

The main goal threats of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City are all next in line, with Fernando Torres 8.2, Robin van Persie 11.5 and Carlos Tevez 13.5, however the last four winners have all been playing for either Chelsea or Manchester United.

While some prices are likely to improve as the market grows, there are already some intriguing outsiders, with Arsenal newcomer Marouane Chamakh 30.0 and Manchester United’s Mexican World Cup star Javier Hernandez 60.0. No top-flight newcomer has taken the honour since Kevin Phillips in 2000 though.

Away from the teams likely to challenge for either the title or Champions League qualifications, one of the contenders that many will find tempting is 20.0 prospect Darren Bent, who outstandingly scored 24 league goals in his debut campaign with Sunderland.

His supporters will argue that surely he can only get better now that he is settled, especially as the Black Cats are looking to improve the service he receives, but his Charlton strike rate dropped from 18 in his first season to 13 in his second, so perhaps he sets the bar unobtainably high.

The other member of last year’s 20-plus club we’ve neglected to mention is Frank Lampard. The consistent double-figure hitter is 30.0 to top the charts for the first time.

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Failure just doesn’t seem to be a problem for Sven-Goran Eriksson. After disastrous spells as Mexico coach and as Notts County’s Director of Football – not to mention an underwhelming World Cup with Ivory Coast – Eriksson looks set to once again land a big job.

Eriksson headed the Betfair market for some time before it became clear Fulham were talking to Martin Jol. The Swede drifted out to double figures and even when Jol confirmed he would be staying at Ajax yesterday, Eriksson only shortened to 9.2.

However, he’s now been backed in to 3.15, and is the clear favourite, after his agent revealed Eriksson is determined to land a job in the Premier League.

Cardiff boss Dave Jones staying steady at 5.3, while former Man City gaffer Mark Hughes has also shortened, in from 11.5 to a current mark of 7.8. There’s a fair leap to Alan Curbishley at 13.0, and beyond that it’s 16.0 to back Ottmar Hitzfeld and 25 or more for the rest of the field.

Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish was backed yesterday to a low of 11.5, but has drifted right out to 90.0 today.

A couple of names from further down the list that have attracted little bits of money are another former England manager – Glenn Hoddle (44.0), and well-travelled Italian Alberto Malesani (60.0).

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