Horse racing betting: Betfair Chase (ante-post)

Further evidence that the Betfair Chase has quickly established itself as the early-season focal point for the top stayers has been underlined this week, as the 14 entries for Saturday's renewal include the first four home from last season's Gold Cup and six of the first seven in the exchange's betting for the 2008 Cheltenham showpiece. But that doesn't stop the Betfair layers making Kauto Star the 5/4 favourite to win at the weekend, and go in pursuit of back-to-back Betfair Millions. Many people were not impressed by the manner of Kauto Star's reappearance second to Monet's Garden at Aintree, even though the handicappers believe that he wasn't far off his brilliant best in failing by only 1.5 lengths to give 14lb to the Liverpool course and distance specialist. But the fact that he didn't travel with his usual verve and ease there doesn't seem to be unduly worrying the early players in Betfair's ante-post market. And Timeform would appear to agree. Timeform spokesman Kieran Packman commented: "The field at this stage is potentially fascinating and, if all the principals stand their ground, it would be at least on a par with recent Cheltenham Gold Cups. "The Timeform ratings merely underline how highly we rate Kauto Star and the amount of improvement required of the likes of Denman and My Way de Solzen at this stage. We concluded that Kauto Star ran close to his best at Aintree on his reappearance, despite failing to go with his usual fluency from approaching halfway. Simply put, he sets an outstanding standard for the remainder to aim at." Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin added: "The weather could yet play a major part in deciding the make-up of Saturday's field, let alone the winner. So it interests me that there are people looking to back assumed non-runners such as Denman, albeit for small sums, for the race. "This is the first leg of the Betfair Million, but it should not be forgotten that the race is very valuable and prestigious in its own right. And a nice stepping stone to either the King George or the Lexus - which of course are the middle legs of our bonus series, too." To win the Betfair Chase: 5/4 Kauto Star, 3/1 My Way De Solzen, 9/1 Exotic Dancer, Aces Four, 20/1 Denman, Turpin Green, 39/1 Beef Or Salmon, 41/1 Ollie Magern, Monkerhostin, 49/1 Taranis, 64/1 Madison Du Berlais, 69/1 Offshore Account, 99/1 Yes Sir, Too Forward. (Betfair prices correct as of 20 Nov, 3pm)