King surprised at Kauto’s entry as he prepares to take the wraps off Voy Por Ustedes
King will take the wraps off his Arkle winner Voy Por Ustedes for the first time this season in the Grade One event over two miles – but will come up against Paul Nicholls’ brilliant Betfair Chase winner.
“It is a bit of a surprise that Kauto Star has been declared but we have to get started somewhere,” said King.
“We weren’t expecting to be taking on the highest-rated chaser in training first time out but if you’d have asked me a month ago we would have expected to meet Kauto Star.
“Obviously when he (Kauto Star) won over three miles at Haydock we thought that would be him out of the equation but that has not been the case.
“It has always been our plan to start off in the Tingle Creek and it obviously takes some of the pressure off. We couldn’t be happier with him and everything has gone according to plan.
“He schooled last week and he is very much ready to start,” King told At The Races.
Ladbrokes introduced Kauto Star as their 4-7 favourite for the Tingle Creek, while Voy Por Ustedes is a 7-2 chance.
“Kauto Star is undoubtedly the one horse in training that we’re most worried about,” said Ladbrokes spokesman David Williams.
“We’ve laid him for bundles in every race he holds an ante-post entry for.
“We fully expect Paul Nicholls’ charge to send shivers down our spines on Saturday afternoon as he moves one step closer to the really big prizes.”
William Hill – Tingle Creek Chase
Ladbrokes bet: 4-7 Kauto Star, 7-2 Voy Por Ustedes, 6-1 Foreman, 12-1 Ashley Brook, Central House, Fota Island, 20-1 Armaturk, 25-1 Bar.
King meanwhile is unsure whether World Hurdle winner My Way De Solzen will take up an engagement in the Grade Two Sodexho Prestige Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown, also on Saturday.
The six-year-old made an exemplary start to his fencing career with an inch-perfect display at Lingfield last week, beating Gentleman Jimmy by 14 lengths.
Despite landing the World Hurdle over three miles last term, King sees My Way De Solzen’s immediate future over fences and is currently VC Bet’s 6-1 favourite for the Arkle in March.
“My Way De Solzen might run. Obviously it is only a week since he ran,” King said.
“He’ll do a bit of work and have a school on Thursday and if we are happy with him he will run.
“But if I think he wants a bit longer we will wait with him – I just want to wait and see.”
Thisthatandtother has been handed top weight of 11st 12lb for the £150,000 boylesports.com Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday week.
Paul Nicholls’ 10-year-old finished runner-up to Monkerhostin in the race two years ago and fell three out when travelling strongly in 2005.
He suffered an injury that day and only reappeared earlier this month when chasing home Racing Demon in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon.
He is one of five entries for the champion trainer who also has Cerium (11st 9lb), Le Volfoni (11st 4lb), Taranis (11st 4lb) and Albuhera (10st 13lb). David Pipe is mob-handed at this stage in the race with seven entries.
Former Arkle Chase winner Contraband will be asked to carry (11st 4lb), with Paddy Power runner-up Vodka Bleu on (10st 9lb).
Last year’s winner Sir Oj and Wild Passion, both trained by Noel Meade, have been allotted 11st 6lb, while other Irish possibles include Kill Devil Hill (11st 3lb), Ross River (11st 1lb), Our Ben (10st 12lb), Pearly Jack (10st 1lb) and Darby Wall (10st).
Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Exotic Dancer would have to carry 11st 4lb, while Cheltenham Festival scorer Reveillez must shoulder 11st.
