Betfair | Gold Cup Betting: Kauto Star will defend title

Gold Cup Betting: Kauto Star will defend title

Kauto Star is expected to be fit to defend his Cheltenham Gold Cup following an injury scare at Ascot yesterday

Following a convincing victory in the Commercial First Ascot Chase reports surfaced that Kauto Star had suffered a sprained fetlock and returned to trainer Paul Nicholls' yard lame.

A vet examined the horse this morning and confirmed that he was only suffering from a foot infection.

"It's basically pus in his foot. Once the vet and my head lad had released that he was virtually sound," said Nicholls.

"We were quite confident last night as we took his shoe off and that instantly relieved him a bit, so we thought that was what the problem was."

Kauto Star has dominated the betting markets for the Gold Cup and is on course to win the Betfair Million for the second year running.

The reigning Gold Cup champion was an even money chance ([2.0]) on Betfair to win the the event for the second year running after a superlative performance in the Commercial First Ascot Chase.

But after the rumours surfaced Kauto hit a high of [6.8] on the exchange with Denman backed at a low price of [1.73].

Following the announcement from Nicholls' yard this morning the two horses have stabilised in the betting with Kauto back into favouritism at [2.3] and Denman [2.7].

* Below are the betting fluctuations from 9am on February 16th.

16/02

09:00

Kauto Star - [2.32]; Denman - [2.96]

14:23

Kauto Star - [2.18]; Denman - [2.7]

14:34

Kauto Star - [2.16]; Denman - [2.84]

14:57

Kauto Star - [2.0]; Denman - [3.2]

15:54

Kauto Star - [1.99]; Denman - [3.2]

17:50

Kauto Star - [2.24]; Denman - [2.98]

17:57

Kauto Star - [3.0]; Denman - [2.6]

18:10