PAUL NICHOLLS is delighted with Kauto Star ahead of next week’s Betfair Chase at Haydock, while Imperial Commander looks set to take him on a week on Saturday.
The champion trainer is looking forward to dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Kauto Star making his seasonal return on Merseyside in the Grade One chase he won in 2006 and 2007.
Nicholls bypassed the Jnwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal last weekend – a race Kauto Star won 12 months ago – to head back to Haydock despite the nine-year-old unseating Sam Thomas at the final fence in last year’s renewal of the three-mile contest.
Nicholls is looking at a lighter campaign for his star chaser with Haydock being used as a stepping stone for the Clive Smith-owned gelding’s bid for a fourth successive King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Kauto Star was among the 32 entries for the King George yesterday but Nicholls is just eyeing Haydock at present.
The Ditcheat handler said: “He’s really well. He schooled with Ruby this morning and he’ll be off to Haydock a week on Saturday.
“He’s in good order. I think it will be a different result in the Betfair Chase this year, with Ruby on board and he always goes well fresh. He’s in good nick.”
In opposition at Haydock and possibly at Kempton also could be Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Imperial Commander.
The eight-year-old proved a high-class chaser over two and a half miles last season, winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.
But when stepped up to three miles in the King George and at Punchestown he failed to deliver.
But Twiston-Davies is happy to try the longer trip again and after a work-out up the trainer’s Gloucestershire gallops yesterday, Imperial Commander looks set to make his seasonal return at Haydock.
Twiston-Davies said: “He’s in the Betfair Chase and we are really looking forward to that.
“He doesn’t want it too soft, but seems in very good form. Last time at Punchestown he pulled too hard in very heavy ground and didn’t get home.
“Haydock is an easier track and it will be better ground, hopefully.
“At this stage he would have a very good chance in the Ryanair Chase, but Kauto Star and Denman might not be around forever so we’ll play it by ear with the Gold Cup in the back of our minds.
“It will be a big test in the Betfair Chase, and if he can’t live with Kauto Star we’ll find out.”
Twiston-Davies is hoping for a big weekend on Merseyside for the Northwest Masters.
After Haydock hosts the Saturday, Aintree takes over on the Sunday with the totesport.com Becher Chase run over the Grand National fences.
The trainer’s Irish Raptor has proved himself adept on the track and is likely to run in the Becher.
Twiston-Davies added: “He won’t run if it’s too soft but otherwise he will run.
“He loves it round there and it will be exciting to see him back.”
Meanwhile Comply Or Die will begin his bid for more John Smith’s Grand National glory when he makes his seasonal debut in the listed Jardine Lloyd Thompson Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.
David Pipe’s 10-year-old landed the Aintree marathon in 2008 and was an excellent second behind 100-1 shot Mon Mome in April.
Pipe is planning Comply Or Die’s campaign around a return to Aintree next April.
The Pond House handler said: “He’s in good form at home and it looks a good starting point for him. He won’t mind the ground or the distance and all roads to lead to Aintree in April.
“It would be great just to get him to line up again in the National and that will be our aim.”
TODAY’S NAP: Doctor Robert (3.10pm Taunton)
