Kauto Star returns at Down Royal
Ten-year-old Kauto Star will make his seasonal reappearance at Saturday 6 November's Champion Chase at Down Royal. The legendary chaser will face seven rivals at the steeplechase (which he won two years
ago) and is rumoured to be using it as a warm-up for the Hennessy Gold Cup at the end of the month.
"We are now strongly considering running Kauto Star in the Hennessy, providing Down Royal goes to plan at the weekend," wrote trainer Paul Nicholls on his
Betfair blog.
Kauto will ride as the odds-on favourite at 8-13, with Sizing Europe next on the list at 7-2 odds.
Henry de Bromhead, training Sizing Europe, won the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The horse lost his first under-3m race last month at Punchestown, but will be trying again in Saturday’s Grade
1 race.
"We are planning to run Sizing Europe in what looks like an ultra-competitive renewal of the JNwine.com Champion Chase," said de Bromhead on his website.
"He's been very well since Punchestown and has definitely improved for the run in terms of fitness. We're stepping him up in trip again and we're all very much looking forward to the race."
Sizing Europe lost to China Rock in Punchestown and will be facing the horse again on Saturday. China Rock will be riding with 6-1 odds. Galway Plate winner Finger OnThe Pulse will be following up on a
third-place in the Kerry National, racing at 16-1.
Michael Hourigan-trained Mossbank is making a return to the racetrack, having been absent since finishing third in the Punchestown Gold Cup in 2008 and will race with 33-1 odds, the joint-long shot with
Coolchashin, also 33-1 behind Trafford Lad at 20-1.
The original 18 horses on the short-list for the Champion Chase included Pandorama, but the seven-year-old Noel Meade-trained horse suffered an injury following three consecutive victories and was left
out of the final line-up for Saturday’s Group One race.
"He pulled a muscle in his hindquarters before Cheltenham and did not recover in time," said Meade. "We were going to start him at Punchestown a few weeks ago, but the ground came up too fast and he wasn't
quite ready."
Pandorama is still expected to face Kauto Star at the Hennessy Gold Cup at the end of the month. Kauto Star is the joint third-favourite for that race with two other Paul Nicholls-trained horses, Denman
and What A Friend, all at 6-1 odds.
"If he runs well on Saturday, then owner Clive Smith is of the opinion that there is no use wrapping them in cotton wool at their age and fancies a crack at the Hennessy. And I am not at all against it,"
said Nicholls.
"If he runs in the Hennessy off 190, it will only be him, Denman, who he will give 8lb to, and Neptune Collonges in the handicap."
In the meantime, What A Friend is also expected to be facing off against Kauto Star at the Betfair Chase on 20 November. Kauto Star what the race in a photo finish ahead of Imperial Commander, who will
also be returning to bid for victory at Haydock.
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