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Timeform Daily: The Betfair Chase (Lancashire) (Grade 1), Haydock, 2.15

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The jewel in the crown of Haydock's National Hunt season sees Kauto Star bidding for a hat-trick in the fourth renewal of the Betfair Chase. Timeform rate the runners.

Cloudy Lane: Made excellent progress in 2007/8, his hat-trick of wins including one over c/d in Tommy Whittle over subsequent Grand National conqueror Comply or Die (pair joint favourites at Aintree). Spared hard race when behind in Old Roan Chase on reappearance and should be all the better for that; sound jumper who should run his race but would be most surprising winner on his debut at the top level.

Exotic Dancer: Top-class chaser who's arguably been unlucky to be around at the same time as Kauto Star - yet to beat his rival in seven attempts - though comes here on the back of his best effort since his second in this twelve months ago, laying down an early marker for handicap performance of the season when beaten just a length by Knowhere (rec 18 lb) in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree last month. Hard to know how much that reappearance run will have taken out of him though he still looks the likeliest winner should Kauto Star not give his running.

Kauto Star: Outstanding chaser and winner of all three starts following his reappearance last season (including King George for second successive year) before his colours were lowered by stable-companion Denman when attempting back-to-back wins in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Wasted no time in leaving disappointments of spring behind with a bloodless success in the James Nicholson at Down Royal on his reappearance, jumping impeccably under a waiting ride. Trainer on record as to how happy he is with him at present and it would be one of the shocks of the season were he to not complete a hat-trick of wins in this with a clear round of jumping.

Ollie Magern: Splendidly tough front-running chaser on his day and put his best foot forward at Wetherby once more with a gutsy display off top-weight in this year's renewalof the Charlie Hall (won race in 2005 and 2007) on his reappearance. Not as reliable as he used to be, however, and no surprise were he to follow that effort with a poor one, while he's appeared in every running of this to date and beaten just three others home in total.

Snoopy Loopy: Has improved out of all recognition since the winter, his win in the listed Lord Mildmay Memorial Handicap at Newton Abbot in August his fourth in that period, while creditable efforts in the Old Roan and Charlie Hall since has seen him take an early lead in the Order of Merit series. Game sort and is an uncomplicated ride to boot, he should run his race once more.

Tamarinbleu: Developed into high-class chaser in 2007/8, winning the Boylesports Gold Cup at Cheltenham and the Victor Chandler (Clarence House) at Ascot before ending his campaign with a couple of disappointing displays. Goes well fresh and should ensure good gallop with Ollie Magern but stable form is a massive concern.