Events / Timeform / 20 November 2009 / Leave a comment

Timeform's Kieran Packman pulls out two potential winners from Saturday's Haydock card - will you be following him?

"Diamond Harry is a horse for whom, this time last year, many had the highest of hopes. Though he was one of the leading novice hurdlers around in 2008/9, winning his first four races (including a Grade 1 and two Grade 2 events) his third to Mikael d’Haguenet at the Cheltenham Festival left some underwhelmed, as distinct signs of ungainliness raised a slight question over his fortitude."

Sabrina Washington, Stuart Manning and Justin Ryan are amongst the 'celebrities' currently dominating primetime television with their jungle antics. If you are like us and thought 'Who?' when that trio were unveiled, this weekend's racing should provide a welcome antidote from the Z-list, as jump racing's biggest name returns to the fray.

Kauto Star has had his own celebrity status somewhat hijacked by Sea The Stars' exploits on the level this Summer. For those with short memories, the last time we saw Kauto, he was winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup by 13 lengths, in the process putting up one of the best performances of an already brilliant career.

The outstanding chaser of his generation, 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. Admittedly, he wasn't at his best when slithering on landing at the last here 12 months ago, but that was his second outing of the month, whereas he comes here fresh. Providing the going isn't bottomless, he has excellent claims of a third success in the Betfair Chase.

Whilst Kauto Star has been there and done it, Diamond Harry is a horse for whom, this time last year, many had the highest of hopes. Though he was one of the leading novice hurdlers around in 2008/9, winning his first four races (including a Grade 1 and two Grade 2 events) his third to Mikael d'Haguenet at the Cheltenham Festival left some underwhelmed, as distinct signs of ungainliness raised a slight question over his fortitude.

He reappears in the Timeform Betfair Racing Club Handicap Hurdle on Saturday, which is three miles over fixed brush hurdles. He's unlikely to have any problem with the longer trip, has the size and scope to progress further and looks realistically treated for this handicap debut.

In opposition, however, is a plethora of interesting rivals. Those who believe that he's destined for greater things won't hear of defeat at this level, but he faces a far stiffer task than the reigning champ would appear to.


Fancy a Kauto Star/Diamond Harry double? Then click here!

Tags: Betfair Chase, Diamond Harry, Haydock, Kauto Star, Timeform Betfair Racing Club Handicap Hurdle