PNicholls

I was more confident of [b]Kauto Star[/b] beating Long Run in the Betfair Chase, than I am of my horse confirming the Haydock form in the King George today. There, I have said it. For punters out there, that may seem a very strange thing to say given that Kauto Star was twice the price at Haydock than he is likely to go off at Kempton today, and that he beat [b]Long Run[/b] so convincingly there. But going to Haydock, I was really bullish in my own mind that Kauto was as fit and well as I could possibly have had him. But, for obvious reasons, I had to rein back my true enthusiasm and confidence going into the race; a race, lest we forget, that many were saying that he shouldn't even be running in. Hand on heart, I cannot say the same today. I'm confident, but not that confident. Don't...

[u]13:20, 2m Betfair Graduation Chase [/u][b]Toubab[/b] Didn't progress from his impressive Haydock win last season but he wasn't right after that. And although he was a beaten favourite on his chasing debut at Cheltenham, I was more than satisfied, especially as he ran too free and was in front a bit too early there when beaten ¾ length by Lancetto. It was a fair level of form to start off with and all my novices come for their first outing, so don't be surprised to see him improve a good deal on that here. This horse has plenty of class and would be suited by good ground and a flat track, as he showed when winning here last season. Only five runners but this is a very competitive and classy race, with Aintree winner Silk Drum and Nadiya De La Vega also in opposition. In fact, Doctor...