Statues of multiple King George VI Chase winners Desert Orchid (foreground) and Kauto Star stand in prominent positions at Kempton Park. The famous steeplechase will for the next five years be sponsored by Ladbrokes.

Horse Talk with Simon Jackson:

Top horse racing tips and the latest news.

Logician is a short-priced favourite for the £700,00 William Hill St Leger after connections confirmed his participation at Doncaster on September 14.

Logician, the winner of all his four starts impressed when landing the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month and the Khalid Abdullah-owned colt is now a clear favourite with the sponsors at 5-4.

The St Leger is the final Classic of the season in Britain and Logician bids to give trainer John Gosden a fifth win in the one mile, six furlong and 115 yard contest after the victories of  Shantou (1996), Lucarno (2007), Arctic Cosmos (2010) and Masked Marvel (2011).

“There were a couple of things to think about after York which is why we didn’t commit to the St Leger straight away, not least how the horse came out of York,” said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah who won the unique contest with Toulon in 1991.

“Logician seems in good shape and the Leger looks the right race for him. He shapes as if he’ll stay the trip so we’re hopeful. He worked nicely this morning and it’s all systems go for Doncaster.”

In other news the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day will now be sponsored in a five year partnership by Ladbrokes who have been unveiled as the new sponsor of Kempton’s flagship Christmas Festival on December 26 and 27.

The King George VI Chase is the biggest chase of the season in the south east and winners include Desert Orchid and Kauto Star whose statues stand prominently in the parade ring area at Kempton Park.

“We are delighted to welcome Ladbrokes as the new partner of our most prestigious race meeting,” Kempton’s general manager Steve Parlett said.

“The Ladbrokes King George VI Chase has an exceptional roll of honour, including four-times winner Desert Orchid, and five-times winner Kauto Star. With the likes of jumps world record holder Altior looking to take the step up in distance for this year’s renewal, it promises to deliver another phenomenal contest.”

Simon Clare, PR director for Ladbrokes Coral said: “Ladbrokes has a long and proud history of sponsoring top-class horse racing and we are absolutely thrilled to be embarking on this exciting new sponsorship of the King George VI Chase and the two-day Christmas Festival at Kempton.

“There are few races in the calendar that can boast the heritage and prestige of the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, and it is always one of the top 10 betting races in the year, making it a perfect fit for Ladbrokes.”

The Racing Post reports that should Jockey Club Racecourses successfully force through its plan to close Kempton and redevelop the land for housing the Ladbrokes sponsorship would move with the race to Sandown Park.

Horse Talk with Simon Jackson. Showcasing horse racing in London and the south east.