Kauto tops nine in Betfair

Kauto Star

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Kauto Star will face eight opponents as he bids for a third Betfair Chase victory in the space of four years at Haydock on Saturday.

Paul Nicholls' chaser, who re-claimed the Cheltenham Gold Cup crown from stablemate Denman in March, appeared on course to land a hat-trick of wins in the Haydock feature 12 months ago before unseated Sam Thomas at the final fence.

The nine-year-old will be re-united with Ruby Walsh at the weekend while Harry Skelton will partner Nicholls' other runner Nozic.

Irish raider Notre Pere will relish the soft ground as he bids to put a recent fall behind him, and trainer Jim Dreaper is hoping to see the progressive gelding put up a bold show.

"He had a school earlier in the week, which went fine, and as far as we can see, he's none the worse for his fall at Down Royal,'' Dreaper told At The Races.

"He normally needs his first run but unfortunately he didn't get that at Down Royal as he only went about a mile and six furlongs.

"It normally takes him a race or two to get fully wound up but he's certainly ready to go.

"He would go on any ground except firm or good to firm but because of his lack of real pace, and I'm talking about Kauto Star pace, he's more effective when it becomes difficult for the others.

"At this stage, I don't worry too much about the result. All we hope is that he runs up to his best and we think he is a better horse this year.

"But thinking is one thing - seeing is what we need to do.''

The Alan King-trained Halcon Genelardais is another who will appreciate the recent rain.

"I don't envisage him winning the Betfair Chase but there is a lot of prize-money on offer and I am hopeful that he can run well," said the trainer.

"We can't have any real pretensions of beating a horse like Kauto Star but it looks like the testing conditions will probably suit us more than some of the other runners.

"The aim is to go for the Welsh National with him after this race and it gives us a nice bit of time between the two races. He has done enough work at home - he usually comes to hand quite quickly - and our horses are coming into form now.

"I would be more worried about the opposition than I would about him needing the run."

Madison Du Berlais will represent David Pipe on his seasonal debut while Paddy Power Gold cup and Ryanair Chase hero Imperial Commander returns for Nigel Twiston-Davies.

Rambling Minster, successful in the three and a half mile Blue Square Gold Cup at Haydock Park, is set to make his first appearance since pulling up when well-supported for the John Smith's Grand National in April.

Completing the line-up on Saturday are The Sawyer, a Grade Three victor at Cheltenham last season, and Seymour Weld.