Kauto to prove festive star
Kauto Star can confirm his status as the best chaser in the UK by taking the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on a bumper St Stephen's Day action.
On official ratings, Paul Nicholls' stable star has at least 10lb in hand on each of his rivals in the Grade One showpiece and although bound to go off at skinny odds, he is a more than worthy favourite.
The six-year-old is very much a horse in the mould of the legendary Desert Orchid, demonstrating his versatility in terms of trip with a win in the three-mile Betfair Chase, followed by an equally impressive victory in the two-mile Tingle Creek Trophy.
Desert Orchid himself took that Sandown event before going on to King George glory in 1988 and the manner of Kauto Star's recent wins suggests it is going to take an exceptional horse to stop him doing the same.
After a facile success at Aintree on his seasonal bow, he absolutely romped home when trying three miles for the first time at Haydock.
And he barely came off the bridle last time, running out a seven-length winner over Voy Por Ustedes in a hugely creditable time to demonstrate he still retains a killer turn of foot.
The one slight worry is that Kauto Star has suffered a couple of unlucky falls in his career. But he has more or less been foot-perfect this term and it is surely only such a mishap that can stop him from being a real Christmas cracker.
Straw Bear can move a step closer to a £1million bonus with victory in the Stan James Christmas Hurdle.
The massive windfall is on offer to any horse who can win the Fighting Fifth, Christmas and Champion Hurdles this season.
The Diesis gelding already has the first leg in the bag by virtue of a convincing performance at Newcastle on his seasonal reappearance, running out a five-length winner over Noble Request.
After taking top rank among the novices last term, Straw Bear seems to have improved again for his summer break and travelled well throughout at Newcastle before taking it up at the third-last and breezing home.
Nick Gifford's charge is still only lightly raced over hurdles but there could be plenty more to come yet.
Knowhere has been running in top handicap company this term but he is fancied to make the step up to Grade One level in the Stan James Feltham Novices' Chase.
Nigel Twiston Davies' charge is not always totally convincing over his fences but he really served it up to Exotic Dancer in the ultra-competitive boylesports.com Gold Cup last time.
Prominent throughout, he was just headed by a more experienced rival and that kind of performance could see Knowhere prove hard to pass.
Sir Rembrandt can make amends for a disappointing show when pulled up at Cheltenham last time with a win in the skybet.com Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby.
The 10-year-old is obviously getting no younger but he looked to hold a cracking chance in last year's Grand National before an 11th hour setback ruled him out.
A win at Uttoxeter provided some consolation in May and he appeared to be in good heart when finishing third in the Charlie Hall Chase at this track on his reappearance in October.
Trainer Robert Alner has decided to bypass the Welsh National in favour of this Grade Three event and the hint should be taken.
Alphabetical ran into a good one in three-time winner Avitta at Plumpton last time, but he is expected to fare better in the "Katie, Philip & Daniel Prince" Harry Dufosee Handicap Chase at Wincanton.
Orki Des Aigles should appreciate the three-and-a-half-mile trip in the Clugston Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen, while Kelso winner Cloudless Dawn can follow up in the firstchoicemarquees.co.uk Novices' Chase at Huntingdon.
Sedgefield's totesport 0800 221 221 Beginners' Chase can go to the well-regarded Echo Point, and Oscar Jack can prove the star turn in the European Breeders' Fund "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle at Towcester.
Flame Creek has gone up 9lb after registering two wide-margin wins on the all-weather but the veteran can shake off the extra burden in the WBX.COM World Bet Exchange Handicap at Wolverhampton.
