Long Run, Kauto Star et al at Haydock Park

A fantastic card today at Haydock, headed by the Grade One Betfair Chase over 3 miles at 16.05 CET. Although the field has only 6 runners, 5 of them have pretensions to the highest honours, and two of them have the Cheltenham Gold Cup on their record, the reigning champion Long Run (Nicky Henderson/ Sam Waley-Cohen) and the long time top chaser Kauto Star (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh).

Long Run also won the King George last season so has twice left Kauto Star well behind, and many feel that the Nicholls star will never again defeat his 5 years younger rival. Time is certainy against him, as he will be 12 in a few weeks time, but the vibes from the stable are positive and we hope to see Kauto Star win this race for the fourth time. It is certainly premature to write him off, and in our view he is better value than the favourite, who has not been seen out since his brillint win in the Gold Cup. However the stable is in top form (5 winners yesterday!) and if he is fit enough to do himself justice, then he will be a hard not to crack. It is by no means a two horse race. Weird Al (Donald McCain/ Timmy Murphy) ran on strongly to defeat Time for Rupert (Paul Webber/ Will Kennedy) in the Charlie Hall Chase, and is better off at the weights this time so in theory should beat him again, but there could be little in it. Dimnond Hrry (Nick Williams/ Jm Rvly) would hav tartd for tht rc, but was pulld ou ftr minot stbk. If he is back to full fitness, he must play a prominent role, but we feel that he is also no value, having been heavily backed this week, and he is now second favourite. He runs well fresh, so the long break since winning last year´s Hennessy is no problem, but we cannot believe that he is shorter in the betting than Kauto Star. In our view, the race lies between Long Run and Kauto Star and at the likely odds we must go for the old champion.

There is a great supporting card, with the handicap hurdle over 3 miles at 15.30 a very competitive race with 20 runners and as many possible winners. Nicholls and Henderson are also well represented here with Robinson Collonges (Walsh) and Sentry Duty (Jeremiah McGrath) respectively. The former is not so exposed, but we prefer Sentry Duty, who was smart on the flat; he has not really lived up to expectations over hurdles, but could well bounce back here. German-bred Los Nadis (Jim Goldie/ Lucy Alexander), who likes to make the running, is in great form and could also run well, while Benny be Good and Sa Suffit (better handicapped over hurdles than over fences) also make the short list.

We expect Grandouet (Henderson/ McCoy) to defy top weight in the opening 4yo hurdle at 13.15; he looked the likely winner when falling last time out, and is a cut above these opponents; while another top weight who could score here is Any Given Day (McCain Henry Brooke) in the handicap hurdle at 13.50.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Grandouet - Domtaline - Marsh Warbler
2. Race: Arthurian Legend - Indian Daudaie - Get Me Out Of Here
3. Race: Diocles - Balinroab - Herecomesthehollow
4. Race: Neptune Equester - Eyre Square - You Know Yourself
5. Race: Robinson Collonges - Global Power - Dynaste
6. Race: Long Run - Kauto Star - Diamond Harry
7. Race: Gansey - Summery Justice - Merigo