Kauto The Star Of The Show

Kauto Star can be crowned a true champion at Cheltenham on Friday by extending his unbeaten run and lifting the most prestigious of all races ? the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Paul Nicholls' crack chaser has divided opinion with his final-fence blunders in the King George and the Aon Chase, but he keeps coming up with the goods and is head and shoulders above his rivals.

Critics have also pointed to stamina worries but the seven-year-old had no trouble seeing out three miles around Haydock when winning in a hack-canter, and in a weak renewal of the blue riband he must not be missed.

Those not wanting to steam in at short prices could do worse than have an each-way nibble on French raider L'Ami, who has been primed for this race and was only a neck behind the selection at Newbury last month.

Nicholls, who is set for a stellar week, can get the Festival off to a flying start with Granit Jack in the opening Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

The French import looked a different animal when sauntering round Taunton recently following an operation on stomach ulcers and he is a solid choice against the short-priced favourite Amaretto Rose.

Don't Push It proved he possessed the speed for the minimum trip when dropping back in distance at Chepstow and this promising individual is a live candidate in the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy Chase.

The Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle is shaping up to be the race of the week and last year's hero Brave Inca is fancied to see off young pretender Detroit City and the back-to-form Hardy Eustace.

Although beaten by the latter last time out, Colm Murphy's charge had appeared to be better than ever earlier in the campaign and it is hard to see anything getting past him up the Cheltenham hill.

Aran Concerto is regarded as the banker of the week by many in the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle on Wednesday, but it is a risky proposition backing a 2-1 shot who has yet to have his mettle tested and Noel Meade's Festival record does not inspire.

A much more solid option is Silverburn, yet another trained by Nicholls, who will go through the ground and appeared to be a smart sort when landing a Grade One event on his latest start.

Denman looked a real machine on his prep run last month and despite his skinny odds, he cannot be opposed and can add to Nicholls' tally in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

Well Chief is the class act in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase, but he is vulnerable to the ?bounce' factor and a safer option at a much more generous price is last year's winner Newmill.

Northern raiders can have their say on Thursday with Monet's Garden the one to beat if turning up for the Ryanair Chase, while Inglis Drever can put his rivals to the sword in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Liberate is the tough sort who appeals as an each-way bet in the JCB Triumph Hurdle, with Wichita Lineman unopposable in the Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle.

Finally, the dogs have been barking Saintsaire's name for the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase and there will be plenty of long faces if he fails to oblige on the final day for that man Nicholls.

(C) PA Sport