Smith: Kauto ready to go

Owner Clive Smith is heading to Haydock Park on Saturday full of confidence as Kauto Star looks to win his third consecutive Betfair Chase.

After two reverses at the end of last season he returned to action in the North at Down Royal and looked back to his imperious best.

The injury Ruby Walsh picked up at Cheltenham on Saturday has slightly hampered plans but as Sam Thomas stepped in 12 months ago, Smith has no doubts that the man in the saddle will not let him down.

“I would rather Ruby was on board but Sam rode him exceptionally well in the race last year,” said Smith.

“I think he pointed out a different way of riding him and he did something different that the horse liked.

“I think that we possibly shouldn’t have run him at Aintree last year because it’s a little bit soon after Cheltenham and it’s a massive meeting in its own right. The ground was quick enough and it took quite a lot out of him so soon after Cheltenham.

“I was delighted with his seasonal reappearance and he ran very, very well indeed. Paul (Nicholls) says he’s better than ever but I’ll still be watching with baited breath before and during the race.

“He’s only eight so we still have plenty to look forward to with him.

“The only thing is that he’s a French-bred and they always say that French-bred horses don’t necessarily have some of the lifespan of other horses because they begin racing at a younger age.

“But he’s certainly come out this season full of beans and he really wants to go.

“We’ve been very pleased him and the softish ground will be to his liking – I would much rather have softer going as that will look after the horse.

“We go to Haydock Park full of confidence.”