Clive Smith happy for Kauto Star to return to Haydock Park

Nov 5 2009 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

AN intriguing clash between dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Kauto Star and John Smith’s Grand National winner could be set for Haydock Park two weeks on Saturday.

Both horses were among the 26 entries for the Betfair Chase on November 21 – the feature on the opening day of the North West Masters weekend.

Venetia Williams’ shock 100-1 National winner is not yet a definite runner, but Kauto Star’s owner Clive Smith has no qualms about sending the Gold Cup winner back to Haydock with Kauto Star, despite last year’s mishap.

The Paul Nicholls-trained nine-year-old became the first horse to regain his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown in March, but in the Betfair Chase last November he unseated jockey Sam Thomas at the final fence.

Kauto Star is not expected to have too many runs as he bids for more glory in the King George on Boxing Day and back at Prestbury Park in March.

But he is said to be ready for his seasonal return in Haydock’s three-mile Grade One contest.

Owner Smith said: “Kauto Star is in very good form at the moment and Paul (Nicholls) and myself are very happy with his preparation for the Betfair Chase.

“We had the option of going for the Down Royal Champion Chase but we believed that returning to Haydock Park was the right thing to do and it was only a question of keeping an eye on the weather and the ground.

“This will be the first time that he will going into the race as a fresh horse. He has run at Aintree and Down Royal the previous two seasons but we wanted to limit him to three appearances this year.

“He will start off in the Betfair Chase and then hopefully go back to Kempton and Cheltenham – although we have to get through each race at a time.

“I’m not worried about returning to Haydock Park after last year. He has won the race twice before and it was just a series of events that didn’t work out last season – it’s possible that his run at Down Royal may have taken the edge off him.

“I think that he is going to be all right this year and I am very happy with him.

“He’s nine now and has had a few races but he is a remarkable horse.

“People have always talked about French horses starting too young and therefore their careers end earlier than other horses but Kauto Star seems in great shape. He just seems to want to go on and he is certainly still thoroughly enjoying himself.”

Other notble entries at Haydock include Kauto Star’s stable-mates Denman, My Will and What A Friend, Howard Johnson’s Tidal Bay as well as Madison du Berlais, Imperial Commander and Notre Per.

Betfair’s head of media, Tony Calvin, said: “We are thrilled with the entries and the fact that 14 of the 26 are rated 160 or more by Timeform is a very impressive statistic.

“All the best staying chasers, with the exception of Voy Por Ustedes, have been given an entry and let’s hope that many stand their ground.

“Kauto Star, who looks a probable starter once again, already has a hat-trick of King George wins under his belt, and this season could well see him repeat the feat in the other two Grade One staying chases in this country.

“He has already won two Betfair Chases and two Gold Cups, and to add to those successes would be an astonishing achievement.”

Meanwhile this afternoon’s meeting at Haydock Park will have to pass a 7am inspection if it is to go ahead.

Heavy rain at the track has forced clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright to take an early look.

Speaking yesterday, he said: “We had 46 millimetres of rain last night and it is still continuing to rain on and off today with more forecast.

“The track is currently soft, waterlogged in places and we couldn’t have raced today.”

TODAY’S NAP: Alegralil (1pm Towcester).