Racing:Sam Thomas has been
confirmed as the jockey for Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at
Haydock this Saturday.
Speculation had risen about who would get the mount on Paul Nicholls' star chaser in the absence of the injured Ruby Walsh, but the champion trainer has remained true to his word and stayed with his stable number two.
"I've booked Sam," said Nicholls. "I said as much on Sunday and there have been all sorts of things written in the paper, but it was just a question of confirming things with the owner Clive Smith and he said he was happy with Sam."
Thomas has ridden jump racing's number one horse at home in Ditcheat, although on nearly every occasion on the racecourse, including the easy win in the Betfair last season, Walsh, who has a dislocated shoulder, was in the plate.
Kauto Star lost for the first time in 18 months on his seasonal reappearance in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree when Monet's Garden fought him off, but Nicholls warned at the time he would improve significantly for the run.
Nicholls has two other entries in the race in Taranis and Denman, but neither are very likely to run.
Alan King's Arkle winner My Way De Solzen and Kauto Star's old adversary Exotic Dancer, who chased him home in both the King George and the Gold Cup, are other entries, while Nigel Twiston-Davies confirmed dual Charlie Hall winner Ollie Magern also on-course.
A gelding with a fine record when fresh, Ollie Magern collected his second victory in the Wetherby showpiece having been off since finishing seventh in the King George.
"He's running at the weekend and doing very well," said the trainer.
Asked if he was worried about the possibility of the 'bounce' factor, when horses run badly on their second run after a long absence, Twiston-Davies said: "No, it is a while since his run at Wetherby now. He ran well when he was fourth in the race last year and is ready to go."
Charlie Swan is eyeing the valuable prize with last season's high-class novice Offshore Account, who capped a four-race winning streak with victory in the Ellier Developments Hanover Quay Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown in April.
Swan reported: "Offshore Account is entered in the Betfair Chase and the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, so we will have a look at both races and he could go to Haydock.
"He is probably better in at the Hennessy but he has not had a run this season so we are just looking forward to getting a run into him before the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.
"He is in great form, I just hope that I have him fit enough to do himself justice."
5-4 Kauto Star, 3-1 My Way De Solzen, 9-1 Exotic Dancer, Aces Four, 20-1 Denman, Turpin Green, 39-1 Beef Or Salmon, 41-1 Ollie Magern, Monkerhostin, 49-1 Taranis. 64-1 Madison Du Berlais, 69-1 Offshore Account, 99-1 Yes Sir, Too Forward.