Kauto odds-on for third Gold Cup success

Without even setting foot on a racecourse since Boxing Day, dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star has been trimmed from odds against to odds-on in the light of the defeat of arch rival Denman in the Aon Chase at Newbury, writes Elliot Slater.

Having occupied the principal market position for a long time, Paul Nicholls' four-time King George VI Chase winner and living racing legend is, in some people's eyes, beginning to look something of a certainty to land the championship race for the third time.

Ever since Denman bounced back to his best with the demolition job on the Hennessy Gold Cup field in November, one of the most eagerly anticipated head-to-head clashes has had the racing and betting industries in a frenzy, a state that only intensified after Kauto Star's awesome 36-length defeat of Madison Du Berlais and co in the King George over Christmas.

All that was needed ahead of the big match on March 19th was for Denman to justify the long Cheltenham odds in the Aon Chase. That didn't happen. Having travelled well for most of the race he blundered badly four out and then was in trouble and headed when blundering again at the next and unseating champion jockey Tony McCoy.

Denman's much documented powers of recovery should not be underestimated and the Gold Cup is no one horse race, but Kauto Star betting odds suggest that he looks to have all the aces up his sleeve at the moment. Barring an accident (he has taken liberties with his fences in the past) he should prove very hard to beat on the day. 

With a little over four weeks still to the blue riband of National Hunt racing there could yet be more twists and turns before Kauto Star and his stable companion Denman reach the starting tape for what all racing folk hope will be a race to savour.

He might well be odds-on on the day, but don't forget that the last time he was odds-on in a Gold Cup Kauto Star was beaten – by Denman!