Horse racing betting: Betfair Chase

It's odd to think of a horse race in 50-50 terms, particularly when there are more than two beasts in the contest in question, but surely at evens, wonder horse Kauto Star is a bargain to win the Betfair Chase at Huntingdon on Saturday. A lot of the bookmakers who had the temerity to go up with such a price were slammed on Wednesday, but Ladbrokes are still sticking their heads above the parapet and punters should flock there to snap up the price. Paul Nicholls' charge won all six of his races last term which included two performances of the highest order; the Stan James King George VI at Kempton and the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Kauto Star failed to open his account this season when beaten by the smart Monet's Garden at Aintree last month and although it was a frighteningly workmanlike effort from a previously brilliant chaser, the champion had his reasons for such a lacklustre performance. Kauto Star carried a stone more weight than Monet's Garden at the Grand National track and I would defy even the great Linford Christie to beat me carrying such a welter burden. The luck also seems to be riding with the favourite it seems, as continual rain and the likelihood of scaring a few of the opposition away could well see his price contract to something in the region of 8-13 by 2.40 on Saturday. There are few in the race who can realistically trouble the champ anyway. My Way de Solzen has won the World Hurdle and the Arkle Trophy at the last two Cheltenham festivals, but Haydock in the wet is a completely different kettle of fish to Prestbury Park in March. Supporters of Robert Thornton's mount will point to the fact that the seven-year-old has won over the chase course on heavy ground at Haydock before, and after just six chase starts Alan King's charge will have a lot of improvement in him. All of which are good arguments for thinking that Kauto Star will not have things all his own way. On Monday, the 14 entries for this spectacle included the first four home in the last season's Gold Cup and six out of the first seven of those in the betting for this season's Blue Riband event. But Kauto star won the Gold Cup by an easy two-and-a-half lengths from Exotic Dancer, who he beat again at Aintree last month giving 7lbs. After that pipe-opener, Nicholls is sure to have Kauto Star spot on for this race and there seems very little the opposition can do to stop the reigning champion; no matter how much they improve. Verdict: 3pts Kauto Star @ evens (Ladbrokes)