Handicapper Heaps Praise On Star Runaway Betfair Chase winner Kauto Star has been handed a 'conservative' rating of 176 by the British Horseracing Board's senior jumps handicapper Phil Smith.Smith raised Paul Nicholls' six-year-old 3lb for his 17-length success in the Grade One event, making him on paper one of the best horses to run in the last decade.However, Smith admits his rating could underestimate Kauto Star, who was trying three miles for the first time at Haydock after being among the leading two-mile chasers last term.'In my 10 years, the only horses I have had higher are Moscow Flyer, Azertyuiop and Well Chief,' he said.'You have to be impressed with Kauto Star's performance. He is battle-hardened having won a Tingle Creek Chase and over Aintree's Mildmay course where the fences are quite tricky.'His jumping in the Betfair Chase was sensational. L'Ami was the pick of the paddock and is very consistent ? he ran to 158 four times last season and I don't see why he won't have run to that mark again.'I went to 173 for Kauto Star after his victory in the Old Roan Chase (at Aintree last month) because of doubts about what he had beaten but Armaturk (the second) has come out and run well since.'Kauto Star was visually impressive then and I would now rate that form 176.'I am being conservative about his rating now ? just because of the time of the year. Kauto Star has done absolutely nothing wrong.'Kauto Star is the 5-4 favourite with sponsors Stan James for the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, while he is a best-priced 4-1 with Ladbrokes for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.The Clive Smith-owned gelding was reported to be in great shape following his trouncing of Beef Or Salmon, a success which set up the possibility of a #1million windfall for connections should he go on to land both the King George and Cheltenham Gold Cup.Nicholls told Racing UK: 'The staff at home say he is fit and well, no problems.'Whatever mark he has got is irrelevant, he doesn't know what he's got. He was impressive, that's good enough for us and we'll go on to the King George now.'(C) PA Sport
