Kauto back with a bang Kauto Star (6-1) rolled back the years to win the Betfair Chase at Haydock. Paul Nicholls' remarkable stable star was winning the race for the fourth time and was cheered around the parade ring beforehand. He was always prominent under Ruby Walsh and produced a superb round of fencing, putting Long Run's own jumping under pressure. The reigning Gold Cup champion cracked with mistakes at two fences down the back straight for the final time and Kauto Star set sail for home. Long Run battled all the way to the line but could never get to the winner who scored by eight lengths and returned to an incredible reception. Sky Bet reacted by cutting Kauto Star to 5-1 from 16s for the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day with Long Run 6-4 from 10-11 for the same race. The winner is 12-1 from 33-1 to win the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup for a remarkable third time.
