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Kauto proves why he is the best!

Following Madison du Berlais and Imperial Commander down the back straight of Haydock Park's steeplechase course on the second circuit of today's Betfair Chase, Ruby Walsh looked confident on Kauto Star, but in the home straight he soon realised he was in a titanic battle with Paddy Brennan on Imperial Commander. Even when Ruby urged his mount into a length lead between the last two jumps, Imperial Commander was still going well, and up the run-in he came as close as any horse can to upsetting the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner. But Kauto Star proved why he is the best, by pulling out a little extra in the last few strides, and just keeping his head in front as the front two horses swept past the winning line almost in unison.

The front two were well clear of their rivals in today's Grade 1 three mile contest, and they both look likely to figure in this season's major steeplechasing events.

A relieved Paul Nicholls confirmed Kauto Star would now be prepared for repeat victories in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park and the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

Cumani proved right over Presvis fitness.

As we advised in yesterday's news section, Luca Cumani was honest enough to admit Presvis would need the race in today's Listed Churchill Stakes at Lingfield Park - and so it proved!

Given a strong lead by Beauchamp Viceroy, the Henry Cecil trained Tranquil Tiger took it up as the field entered the home straight for the final time in today's ten furlong contest, and while the Group 1 winning Presvis made huge strides in the final half furlong, he was never going to catch the winner, and had to settle for second position in today's contest. Suits Me, who had made some of the early running, found a second wind and ran on again for third place.

Albertas Run revisits his novice form.

Kept close by partner A P McCoy to the pace throughout today's Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot, Albertas Run showed why he was a RSA Chase winner as a novice. Jumping cleanly and with speed, he put in a model round of jumping while the well fancied horses in today's field all made a series of costly jumping errors.

At the entrance to the Ascot home straight on the final circuit, Albertas Run had a six length lead over his nearest rival, and while the well fancied Planet of Sound and Voy Por Ustedes stayed on near the end to grab second and third positions respectively, they were never in a position to create a serious challenge to the winner.

Zaynar ultra impressive in Coral Hurdle.

Last season's Triumph Hurdle winner Zaynar not only kept his unbeaten record over hurdles this afternoon, his wide margin victory in a grade 2 contest proved he is going to be the hurdler to beat this season. Only runner up Karabak got within Shouting distance, and the front two were a long way clear of a field which included a former winner of the Coral Hurdle, and the 2008 Champion Hurdler.

After this afternoon's facile victory in a two mile three furlong race, trainer Nicky Henderson indicated Zaynar may even be stepped up to three miles for a future run.

Diamond Harry a real classy geezer.

Carying top weight of 11 stone 12 pounds, and running for most of the race around the outside of the Haydock brush hurdle track, the Nick Williams trained Diamond Harry looked a class apart in the final stages of today's 2.20 pm race at the Merseyside track. Pullin clear from the well supported favourite Burton Port following the last obstacle, Diamond Harry franked last season's Ballymore Properties Hurdle form, and indicated he could be a major player in this season's novice chasing ranks.

The well handicapped Lysander ran on for third position in today's race, with Paws and Claws having to settle for fourth.

Fix the rib turns the tails on Master Medic.

Having just lost out to Master Medic at Ascot three weeks ago, Fix the rib used today's turn around in the weight conditions for today's race to stamp his authority over his rival. Taking it up from the start, Jamie Moore never had a moment's worry as his mount jumped from fence to fence, soon outpacing most of today's contenders.

In the home straight, Master Medic made a belated effort to challenge Fix the rib, But under today's conditions he could not stop the George Moore trained horse from winning his fifth steeplechase.

Cornas ran on late to deny Lord Henry third position in a race in which he finished second in 2008.

Following today's race, the Moore camp indicated Fix the rib would now be aimed at the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton Park's Christmas meeting.

Pepe Simo wins again.

Paul Nicholls seems to have found another top quality novice hurdler in the form of currently unbeaten Pepe Simo. Going off as the odds on favourite for the Newton Novices Hurdle at Haydock Park this afternoon, the five year old ended up being eased acrosss the line five lengths in advance of his nearest rival, and after the race, jockey Ruby Walsh reported ,

"He had plenty left as we passed the line, and he could be a very useful novice for the big races later in the season."

Gowran monitoring the situation.

Although exhibiting 'heavy ground', Gowran Park has passed it's 8.00 am inspection for today's proposed meeting, but officials are now keeping a close eye on the approaching Atlantic low pressure area, as weather forecasters indicate it may bring storm force winds which would once more put the fixture in jeopardy.

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Unfortunately, high winds forced officials to eventually cancel this afternoon's proposed national hunt meeting at Gowran Park. It is not known at this stage as to whether the meeting will be re-scheduled.

King likely to increase trip for Manyriverstocross.

After his disappointing third at Ascot on Friday afternoon, trainer Alan King immediately decided the two mile trip may be too short for former smart flat handicapper Manyriverstocross, and King has indicated he will now step the four year old up to a longer trip for his next run.

Around eight hundred thousand reasons to have a go.

The combined Win and Bonus Fund pots in today's Scoop Six wager could well amount to over eight hundred thousand pounds. To have a chance of getting your hands on this considerable sum, you first have to find the winners to the following six races:

Leg 1 - 2.05 pm Ascot.

Leg 2 - 2.20 pm Haydock Park.

Leg 3 - 3.05 pm Lingfield Park.

Leg 4 - 3.10 pm Ascot.

Leg 5 - 3.25 pm Haydock Park.

Leg 6 - 3.40 pm Lingfield Park.