KAUTO STAR EXPECTED TO DOMINATE BETFAIR CHASE

Sam Thomas has stepped in to pilot Kauto Star after Sam Thomas ruptured his spleen in a fall last Saturday. In the months leading up to the race, many rivals stables sweated over whether Kauto Star would be entering the Betfair Chase. Their fears proved to be well-founded as Kauto Star has officially been entered in Saturday's race.SHORT ODDSThe 2007 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner is on a hot streak having won at Down Royal in November. There are also signs that Kauto Star could be joined by stablemate Gungadu in what is becoming a relatively small field. Experts expect Kauto Star to have very short odds as he will be the out-and-out favourite going into the race. THE FIELDThe other horses are Exotic Dancer, Cloudy Lane, Ollie Magern, Ramarinbleu and Snoopy Loopy. Walsh's record with Kauto Star is solid, but they failed to triumph together in the 2008 Gold Cup with Kauto Star being undone by stablemate Denman. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1st- Kauto Star2nd- Exotic Dancer3rd- Gungadu