Events / Tony Calvin / 19 November 2009 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet View Market

...so why is he [2.24] for the Betfair Chase?

Timeform describe him as the outstanding chaser of his generation, have him 14lb clear and more of the opposition in going for his third win in the race, and he is unbeaten when completing on the soft ground he may encounter on Saturday - so why is Kauto Star available at [2.24] with the sponsors to win the Betfair Chase?

The fact that the going could well be heavy at Haydock at the weekend could be the answer, or maybe the defeat suffered by his similarly sublime stablemate Master Minded at Cheltenham is playing on the mind of punters.

Whatever the reason Kauto Star, rated only second to Desert Orchid in the Timeform Chasing Hall Of Fame of the past 25 years (see ratings below), looks likely to start at odds against on Saturday - a bizarre scenario given that his last start saw him trounce Denman by 13 lengths in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Perhaps the weather is his biggest barrier to success, though.

A horrible weather forecast for the area, particular from Friday night onwards, sees racing to be off trading at [3.75] on Betfair's "Will Racing Go Ahead?"" market and [1.2] to take place at Haydock on Saturday.

Timeform spokesman Kieran Packman commented: "Kauto Star is the outstanding chaser of his generation and, though he wasn't at his best when slithering on landing at the last here 12 months ago, that was his second outing of the month whereas he comes here fresh.

"He's unbeaten on soft going in Britain when completing without mishap and there's little to suggest he won't be as good as ever this year. He is a stone ahead of Madison Du Berlais on ratings and if he's anywhere near the top of his game he should prove very difficult to beat."

Tags: Betfair Chase, Haydock, Timeform, Timeform Chasing Hall Of Fame