Stan James King George VI Chase

Make no mistake, if the same Kauto Star turns up at Kempton on Boxing Day for the Stan James King George VI Chase as the one that we have seen win his three starts in bloodless fashion so far this season, then it's a done deal: Kauto Star first the rest nowhere. However, at a top-priced 8/11 he's no bet, and because of his cramped odds punters are afforded some cracking each-way alternatives, none more so than Exotic Dancer, who looks a cracking option to reach the frame at a huge 20/1 with Betfred (just 12/1 with Ladbrokes). Jonjo O'Neill's progressive chaser has come on leaps and bounds this season for, although he showed distinct promise as a novice, his jumping often left a bit to be desired last term. But now he is as sure-footed at his obstacles as an eventer and has the potential to make the transition from handicaps to Grade 1 class in my opinion. The six-year-old was too keen for his own good on his reappearance at Carlisle where he was beaten 28 lengths in a three-runner affair won by Turpin Green. However, he was clearly unsuited by the tactical nature of that race and duly rose to the occasion when pitched back into a strongly-run race, coming from off the pace to beat Vodka Bleu by three lengths in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, the showpiece of Cheltenham's three-day Open meeting. For those that raised question marks over the value of that form, and whether it was a flash in the pan, Exotic Dancer provided the perfect riposte when producing a similar masterclass of jumping and tactical speed to beat Knowhere by a length and a half in the boylesports.com Gold Cup at Prestbury Park on December 9, becoming just the third horse to win the two big Cheltenham handicaps during the same season, Pegwell Bay and Senor El Bettruti being the other two. Although both of those races were over shorter trips, there is no doubt that Exotic Dancer will stay three miles in my mind, especially on a sharp track like Kempton. The selection travels well during his races, is spring heeled at his fences, and is equipped with a potent turn-of-foot. Furthermore, whether the ground comes up good or testing, he will be equally happy. All in all, he has a great chance of achieving a podium spot and at the available odds looks an each-way snip. Opposing Kauto Star for win purposes would seem folly. This is one heck of a machine and, it seems, he would only need put in a clear round to bag this en route to the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The one thing that could possibly derail the one-horse train that is Kauto Star, is his jumping. It's not that he's a bad jumper. On the contrary, he's so quick in the air that there is always a possibility that he could just misjudge a fence every now and then and not get high enough. However, this really is a case of clutching at straws. All ground types seem to come alike to Paul Nicholls' Betfair Million-chasing gelding, and now that his effectiveness is proven over three miles there seems to be little that in the way of opposition that can stop him going right to the top of the tree. War Of Attrition will be a worthy adversary come the Festival, while In Compliance looks a thoroughly exciting up-and-coming chaser, but Kauto is the Star as things stand. Monet's Garden and Racing Demon were both classy over timber and they have translated that form to the chasing sphere with aplomb. This duo look sure to take high rank in every race in which they compete, but neither has that bombproof edge that Kauto Star boasts, while Hennessy hero State Of Play merits the utmost respect but he too looks set to be playing for a place at best. Verdict: 0.50pts e/w Exotic Dancer 1/4 odds, places 1,2,3 @ 20/1 (Betfred) However, at a top-priced 8/11 he's no bet, and because of his cramped odds punters are afforded some cracking each-way alternatives, none more so than Exotic Dancer, who looks a cracking option to reach the frame at a huge 20/1 with Betfred (just 12/1 with Ladbrokes). Jonjo O'Neill's progressive chaser has come on leaps and bounds this season for, although he showed distinct promise as a novice, his jumping often left a bit to be desired last term. But now he is as sure-footed at his obstacles as an eventer and has the potential to make the transition from handicaps to Grade 1 class in my opinion. The six-year-old was too keen for his own good on his reappearance at Carlisle where he was beaten 28 lengths in a three-runner affair won by Turpin Green. However, he was clearly unsuited by the tactical nature of that race and duly rose to the occasion when pitched back into a strongly-run race, coming from off the pace to beat Vodka Bleu by three lengths in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, the showpiece of Cheltenham's three-day Open meeting. For those that raised question marks over the value of that form, and whether it was a flash in the pan, Exotic Dancer provided the perfect riposte when producing a similar masterclass of jumping and tactical speed to beat Knowhere by a length and a half in the boylesports.com Gold Cup at Prestbury Park on December 9, becoming just the third horse to win the two big Cheltenham handicaps during the same season, Pegwell Bay and Senor El Bettruti being the other two. Although both of those races were over shorter trips, there is no doubt that Exotic Dancer will stay three miles in my mind, especially on a sharp track like Kempton. The selection travels well during his races, is spring heeled at his fences, and is equipped with a potent turn-of-foot. Furthermore, whether the ground comes up good or testing, he will be equally happy. All in all, he has a great chance of achieving a podium spot and at the available odds looks an each-way snip. Opposing Kauto Star for win purposes would seem folly. This is one heck of a machine and, it seems, he would only need put in a clear round to bag this en route to the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The one thing that could possibly derail the one-horse train that is Kauto Star, is his jumping. It's not that he's a bad jumper. On the contrary, he's so quick in the air that there is always a possibility that he could just misjudge a fence every now and then and not get high enough. However, this really is a case of clutching at straws. All ground types seem to come alike to Paul Nicholls' Betfair Million-chasing gelding, and now that his effectiveness is proven over three miles there seems to be little that in the way of opposition that can stop him going right to the top of the tree. War Of Attrition will be a worthy adversary come the Festival, while In Compliance looks a thoroughly exciting up-and-coming chaser, but Kauto is the Star as things stand. Monet's Garden and Racing Demon were both classy over timber and they have translated that form to the chasing sphere with aplomb. This duo look sure to take high rank in every race in which they compete, but neither has that bombproof edge that Kauto Star boasts, while Hennessy hero State Of Play merits the utmost respect but he too looks set to be playing for a place at best. Verdict: 0.50pts e/w Exotic Dancer 1/4 odds, places 1,2,3 @ 20/1 (Betfred)