KAUTO STAR will make his fourth consecutive appearance in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, but with conditions likely to be testing connections of Notre Pere are happy to take on the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero.
Paul Nicholls confirmed his nine-year-old on course to run in the Grade One chase on the opening day of the Northwest Masters weekend.
There were 13 entries for the three-mile contest at yesterday’s five-day declaration stage with conditions said to soft at the Merseyside venue. More rain is expected throughout this week.
Clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright said: “We’ve had something like 17 millimetres of rain over the weekend.
“The forecast is wet. There’s rain most days, particularly Thursday and Saturday.
“I don’t think it will have any effect in spoiling the event. We can take what’s forecast and I would hope that it will not cause any defectors.
“You’ve got to assume the going will be soft at the weekend.”
Champion trainer is not overly concerned about that and Kauto Star will bid to land the race for a third time after winning it in 2006 and 2007. The nine-year-old failed to land the hat-trick last November when he unseated Sam Thomas at the final fence 12 months ago.
Nicholls also had Nozic entered in the Betfair Chase, but the champion trainer said: “Kauto Star is going to go there, I just stuck the other horse (Nozic) in just in case the race cut up to four or five runners.
I’d say it was more likely he would run in the Becher Chase (at Aintree on Sunday).”
Irish lone entrant Notre Pere has gone well in soft conditions in the past and connections are hopeful he can bounce back to form on Merseyside this weekend.
Last season the eight-year-old won both the Welsh National and Punchestown Gold Cup, but on his return to action at Down Royal earlier this month he fell in the JNwine.com Champion Chase.
Trainer Jim Dreaper is hoping for better on Saturday and is unfazed about taking on Kauto Star, who is a best-priced 11-10 favourite with Paddy Power.
The Irish trainer said: “Notre Pere is a possible runner for the Betfair Chase, as things stand. He came out his fall at Down Royal fine and it was just one of those things that can happen in racing.
“We will do a more serious schooling session on Tuesday – his jumping seems to be fine – and we will delay a final decision until after that.
“At the moment, there is a good chance that he will come over to Haydock Park, especially if the ground is soft.
“I wouldn’t be concerned about taking on Kauto Star – we need to get Notre Pere running after that blip the other day.”
Madison Du Berlais, who won last year’s Hennessy Gold Cup and also the totesport Bowl at Aintree, are also looking to take on on Kauto Star.
the David Pipe-trained Madison du Berlais was not match for Nicholls’ star in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, when he finished eighth.
But the Pipe team have already lowered the colours of one of Nicholls’ flagbearers when Well Chief defeated Master Minded at Cheltenham on Sunday.
They are keen to try and do something similar this weekend at Haydock.
Pipe said: “Speaking to his owners over the weekend, we are probably leaning more towards the Betfair (rather than the Hennessy).
“I’m sure it will be a top-class race. Kauto Star is the one to beat and Notre Pere will love the conditions, as will Madison Du Berlais.
“He’s in great form, is still eight years old and looks very well. The plan is to go to the King George. As for beating Kauto Star, I don’t know, but every horse is beatable.”
Alan King, meanwhile has stated he will only run Halcon Genelardais if there is a small field at Haydock.
The Barbury Castle trainer said: “Halcon is entered up at Haydock but he’ll only go if the race cuts up to no runners.
“If there are four or five, I’ll probably send him there, otherwise we will wait a week and go for the Hennessy.”
TODAY’S NAP: Kind Heart (2pm Fakenham).
WEEKEND DETAILS: HAYDOCK: The first race on Saturday is scheduled for 12.15pm. Admission into the Newton Enclosure is £11; it’s £20 into Tattersalls; £34 into the County Enclosure; and £45 into the Premier Enclosure. Accompanied children aged under 16 enter free. Senior citizens and students, with appropriate identification, enter Tattersalls and the Newton Enclosure at half price.
AINTREE: Tickets are £19, children go free and can be bought on the day at the gate or online at aintree.co.uk. Gates open 10.30am, First race is 12.05pm, last race 2.55. Also free Christmas themed entertainment all day long, including real reindeer, Santa's Grotto, Children's Christmas Craft Workshop and Christmas shopping.
