Kauto Star at Down Royal

Kauto Star, winner of 15 of his 27 races including the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2007, will start at odds-on for the JNwine.com Champion Chase over 3 miles at 15.30 CET this afternoon at Down Royal. On ratings he is well clear of his 4 opponents today and is reported by trainer Paul Nicholls to be in top form, but the very soft ground may not be in favour of Ruby Walsh´s mount, while fellow British raider The Listener (Nick Mitchell/ Daryl Jacob) loves these conditions and has already won three Irish Group One chases (but all in the South). The spectacular grey enjoys bowling along in front and could spring a surprise, while Jessica Harrington´s Knight Legend (Adrian Leigh) was an easy winer at Gowran Park a month ago and may have an fitness advantage over the big two. Nicholls and Walsh can also take the Grade Three chase over 2 1/2 miles at 16.05 with Noland, while there could be some German-bred winners earlier. Maremotto (Tom Hogan/ Joe Cullen) and Sarteano (Dessie Hughes/ R oget Loughran) run in the maiden hurdle at 14.00, Isabellareine (Metrvyn Torrens/ Adrew Thornton) in the handicap hurdle at 14.30, while in the much more valuable handicap hurdle half an hour later tere are 3 German-bred hopes: Salt Lake (Edwatrd O´Grady/ Andrew J McNamara), Lazio (Steve Mahon/ Pal Townend) and especially Tony Martin´s Arc Bleu (Ruby Walsh), runner-up on the flat in the Cesarewitch last time out and still very nicely handicapped over sticks.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Chateau D`Eau - Indian Spring - Sarteano
2.Race: Rocheford Bridge - Mister Lucky - Yachvili
3.Race: Silverhand - Arc Bleu - Quartino
4.Race: Kauto Star - The Listener - Knight Legend
5.Race: Noland - Scotsirish - Finger Onthe Pulse
6.Race: Dan George - Ross Accord - Hilts
7.Race: Rhyl Accord - Roches Point - Even View