kauto stone...w/h?

Check his column on here

Interesting as he's got a great engine, travels really well and his chase rating is only just below the best hurdle rating in the race. Very much like Big Buck's at this stage 5 years ago. Managed to back him @ 16s after he won a handicap hurdle on new Year's Day I think.

Does he have a great engine though?

Admittedly it's a wide-open race, and not one stacked with talent (at least the ones that we know will stay), but he just looks short of top class for me. Not convinced he's an out and out stayer either.

I'd say beating First Lieutenant at Down Royal and achieving a mark of 162 showsw he has a great engine, yes. The second has since been second in a Hennessy and Lexus. Doesn't get any better than that, stays 3 miles over fences very well and was 7 lengths second to Sizing Europe in last season's Tingle Creek. What more do you want?

Maybe I'm being overly harsh, and at big prices you can't really go too wrong.

I just remember him falling at the first at the Festival last year, getting spanked by Finian's Rainbow (and some lesser lights) at Aintree, and then looking moody and beaten before halfway in the King George.

He was good in Ireland but then he was the year before as well before his form tailed off a bit. He's just one of those horses that seems to have failed in the really big races and isn't one I'd want to put my trust in.

I think he's better fresh, possibly on soft ground and maybe not a great jumper of a fence against the best at a fast pace but the BetVictor NRFB is perfect here. If he doesn't run you get a free bet and if he does he'll be under 10-1.