Kauto Star: Back on song

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Sam Thomas made no mistake on his big day as he partnered Kauto Star to a classy victory in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

Thomas was handed the prize ride due to Ruby Walsh's shoulder injury, but he made no mistake on board Paul Nicholls' superstar.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was always travelling well, but Thomas had to get to work in the closing stages to hold of a brave challenge from Exotic Dancer who pushed him all the way to the line.

However, the 4-5 favourite dug deep to bounce back to form and win the Betfair Chase for a second successive year.

Ollie Magern took the field along at a decent clip, but Kauto Star was left in front five fences from home, when the main contenders started to ready their challenge.

Robert Thornton looked comfortable on My Way De Solzen, but his challenged faded when his mount emptied after the penultimate fence.

Barry Geraghty was partnering Exotic Dancer for the first time, and he laid down a stern challenge after jumping the last, and it was neck-and-neck until Kauto Star showed just too much class to win by half a length.

No doubt

There had been plenty doubting Kauto Star after a lacklustre run at Aintree, where he was beaten by Monet's Garden.

But as Nicholls was quick to point out afterwards, in attempting to give Nicky Richards' grey over a stone in weight, he faced almost an impossible task.

The champion trainer said: "We're back on track, not that we were ever off it.

"I was never as disappointed last time as everybody else."

The win was part of a great day for Thomas, who recorded three victories on the day, following up his win on Kauto Star with success on board Opera Mundi in the very next race.

The 9-1 shot beat favourite Heez A Dreamer by just a head to land the three-mile Handicap Chase.

Earlier, Thomas had partnered Venetia Williams' 5-4 favourite Lightning Strike to victory in the Betfair Poker Newton Novices' Hurdle at Haydock.