What the connections have to say ahead of the big race.(credit:
John Burke)
The jumps season is now well and truly underway and this Saturday will see some of the best chasers in the business return to action in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock.
Kauto Star is the 10/11 favourite (Paddy Power) for the big race and his fans will be hoping that he puts in a performance they know he is capable of when he takes on the likes of Notre Pere and Imperial Commander.
Racingbase takes a look at what the people that matter have to say about the market principals and leading contenders
KAUTO STAR
Paul Nicholls (trainer)
"People talk about this race last year but there really is no comparison as I shouldn't have run him that day, having already been to Down Royal. This year he is fresh and ready to go.
"We're very happy with him and he isn't like Master Minded, who needed the run at Cheltenham last week.
"I suppose you never know how much they will need the run until they actually go, but we are very pleased with where he is at the moment."
MADISON DU BERLAIS
Tom Scudamore (jockey)
"It's very exciting and I'm looking forward to it. I went down the other day to have a sit on him and it's all systems go.
"Obviously Kauto Star is a fantastic horse and Notre Pere should like the ground, but it's a Grade One race and you've got to expect to be taking on the high quality horses.
"My horse goes on any ground, so there won't be any excuses on that front."
NOTRE PERE
Andrew Lynch (jockey)
"I'm really looking forward to it and the way it's looking at the moment, the ground looks as though it should be in our favour.
"He was still going well when he fell at Down Royal the last day but it was still a long way out, so it is difficult to say whether he'd have won or not.
"Kauto Star is obviously going to be tough to beat, but you should never be afraid of one horse.
"It would have been better if our horse had had a proper race in Down Royal, but he seems to have come out of it in good form and it would be fantastic if he could go and win at Haydock."
IMPERIAL COMMANDER
Nigel Twiston-Davies (trainer)
"We're very much looking forward to it and the horse is in great form at the moment.
"It was soft ground when he won the Paddy Power last year and that was over two miles and five furlongs, on a stiff track, with a hill at the end, so I'm not too concerned about the trip or ground.
"Kauto Star is the one to beat, but does he really like this soft ground? And I'm not sure he would have won when he came down last year.
"I wouldn't say I'm confident but our horse is in good shape and I think he'll run very well."
RAMBLING MINSTER
Keith Reveley (trainer)
"The horse is in great form but, with his rating, there isn't really anywhere else we could go with him in the north.
"It was either run here or run in the Becher at Aintree the following day and as he got a bit of a fright over the fences in the National last season, we thought we'd better not go there.
"Obviously he's an 11-year-old now and is on a career-high mark, so it's going to be tough for him this season.
"Realistically we can't expect to challenge the first three or four in the betting, but I hope he'll still give a good account and there is prize-money down to eighth.
"I'm just pleased to support the race as it's a great race to have in the north and hopefully our lad runs nicely and comes back safe and sound.
"All being well, the plan after this would be to go for the London National at Sandown."
To get a free bet on the big race, punters should follow this link to Victor Chandler