Million just 6/1 on Betfair to be won again

The path to the 2007-08 Betfair Million began in earnest when the 2007 Northwest Racing Masters - a weekend of top-class jump racing at Haydock and Aintree - was launched at Paul Nicholls' stables at Ditcheat. And the star of the show will undoubtedly be Kauto Star, who landed connections the Betfair Million (in only the second year of the bonus being offered by the exchange) when winning the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. The seven-figure bonus was broken down into £750,000 for owner Clive Smith, £100,000 each to trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Ruby Walsh, and £50,000 to the stable staff. But this year, the crucial and often forgotten role of the stable staff is further recognized by the fact that they will now receive £100,000 should the bonus be won, with the owner netting £50,000 less. Once again, the Betfair Million comprises the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 24, the King George at Kempton on December 26 OR the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28, and the Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 14. And the Ditcheat stable staff will be happy to hear that the Million is only 6/1 on Betfair to won again by any horse, and that the early exchange betting on the Betfair Chase sees Kauto Star as a 5/4 chance. Kauto Star is also 6/4 on Betfair to win the King George and just over 9/4 for the Gold Cup. Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin said: "Hopefully, Clive won't mind us taking £50,000 out of his pocket and giving it the stable staff this season. "We have always billed it as the most valuable and winnable bonus in horseracing - something that came true in only the second year of our offering it last season with Kauto Star - but of course we recognize how hard it is to get a horse fit and firing for one race, with optimum conditions, let alone three." Will the 2007-08 Betfair million be won? 2/13 No, 6/1 Yes (Betfair)