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...

Betfair sponsor Friday's card at Kemtpon - here are my thoughts on American Trilogy, Rebel Rebellion and Pasco [i]14:05 [/i][b]American Trilogy:[/b] Has obviously been disappointing since winning the 2009 County Hurdle, and fell over hurdles at Wincanton first time out this season and then took a nasty tumble on his chasing debut at Plumpton. Although he ran well in a Jumpers' Bumper at Kempton in December, it is clear that he has lost a bit of pace so we step him up in trip here. A nice clear round is the priority but he has done loads of schooling and jumped as well as he has done at home when we put him over what I call the proper fences on the grass recently. He could run ok, and the race has cut up to just five runners. [i]14:35 [/i][b]Rebel Rebellion:[/b] Showed some fair ...

It is obviously disappointing for horseracing that the Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander will not be lining up for the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day. But, as Nigel said at the HWPA Awards on Monday, he has clearly seen sense and lost his bottle. And I'm not surprised!! On a more serious note, Kauto Star heads the five entries that I still have in the race after the recent forfeit stage, and he is fine. And Noel was also fine after riding out at Charlie Mann's today, and he is at Ditcheat to school Kauto Star this week. As for my other entries, Free World is the most unlikeliest runner at this stage but John Hales would like Noland to line up. He hasn't raced since winning the John Durkan in 2008 and had a small setback a while ago, but is back working nicely again....