National Hunt Boost From Betfair

Betfair will offer another £1million bonus for the 2007-8 National Hunt Season - and are considering bringing Aintree's Betfair Bowl into the mix.

The leading betting exchange put up the huge incentive this year to connections of any horse who could land the Betfair Chase at Haydock, the King George VI or Lexus Chase over Christmas, and the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

That feat was completed by crack chaser Kauto Star, whose owner Clive Smith received his cheque at Paul Nicholls' yard on Thursday.

The seven-year-old will again be up for the bonus next season ? although the exact format of the series has yet to be decided.

It will definitely start at Haydock on November 24 ? with a similar schedule to this year highly likely.

However, the Betfair Bowl at Aintree's Grand National meeting may be added as the final leg.

The Betfair Bonus offers £750,000 to the winning owner, with the trainer and jockey receiving £100,000 each and the successful stable-staff £50,000.

Smith said: 'The stable-staff got £50,000 of the bonus and I have given them a bit more extra too!

'It was nice for them to win something, but I am still thinking about what to do with my share.

'I will probably give a gift to charity and I like the look of the Brooke Hospital For Animals.

'Winning was great for all concerned and it was a brilliant incentive from Betfair.'

Smith added: 'Ruby got off Kauto Star after he won over two and a half miles at the start of the season and said he could be a Gold Cup horse.

'I backed him all of the way through and I even had some more on the day of the race at 6-4.

'It all went so well this year and we had perfect going for him through the season.

'I'd say he would be a 6-1 or 7-1 chance to go and win it again as you need a lot of luck.

'But he is a very intelligent horse and will start off again at Haydock.

'The Bonus did give an extra buzz for the season but it could be another 10 years before it is won again.'

(C) PA Sport