Horse racing betting: Kauto Star for Gold Cup?

Clive Smith seemed more relieved than jubilant when Kauto Star rediscovered his travelling and fencing panache to take a thrilling Betfair Chase by half a length from Exotic Dancer on Saturday. Any doubts about his star chaser's continued potency on the big stage have now been banished to the past and further riches await this season. "I am just driving up to Aintree after attending a party for a dear friend in Berkshire last night," said Smith. "And as I pass Warwick Castle at this very moment, there is a brilliant rainbow in the sky. Perhaps there is another pot of the gold at the end of it!" He didn't mention it outright, but it was clear that he was referring to the Betfair Million, the exchange's seven-figure bonus that his horse captured for connections and stable staff by winning the Betfair Chase, the King George and the Gold Cup last season. And, as his horse took another major step on the road to that massive "pot of gold" once again by winning the Betfair Chase, Smith's confidence and bullishness have reappeared once again. Click here to get your £25 free bet from Betfair to bet on the Gold Cup "The Betfair Chase was a pressurized situation in every way. Conditions at Haydock were not ideal for us and he was also probably in front too soon, but it was out of this world to see him win as he did, with some extravagant leaps and showing real guts." And when told of the Betfair prices, both for the in-running action yesterday and looking ahead to the 2008 Gold Cup (he is as short as 6/4 with some firms for Cheltenham), his comments should make punters ears prick up. "Even though you say Exotic Dancer was backed at evens on the run-in, I was always confident Kauto would hold on. He dug deep and was not going to be passed. Exotic Dancer is a great talent, but I doubt if he will ever quite to get us. "And as for Kauto Star being 9/4 on Betfair for the Gold Cup, I think that is a temptingly good bet. I may have to get an order up myself!" Not quite the 139/1 that he started backing the horse at on Betfair before it went on to win the race last year. But then again Kauto Star has won two Betfair Chases, a Tingle Creek, a King George and a Gold Cup in the interim. Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin said: "It is currently only a 3/1 chance that Kauto Star wins the Betfair Million once again, and we are beginning to steel ourselves for another million pound pay-out. To win the Betfair Million - Betfair bet: 1/4 No, 3/1 Yes. To win the King George - Betfair bet: 11/10 Kauto Star, 13/2 Exotic Dancer, 15/2 My Way De Solzen, 14/1 Taranis, 15/1 Aces Four, 16/1 Monets Garden, 21/1 Racing Demon. To win the Gold Cup - Betfair bet: 9/4 Kauto Star, 5/1 Denman, 8/1 Exotic Dancer, 15/1 My Way de Solzen, 25/1 Star De Mohaison, 33/1 War Of Attrition, 35/1 Taranis, 39/1 Aces Four, 43/1 Kicking King Click here to get your £25 free bet from Betfair to bet on the Gold Cup