Horse Racing: Kauto Star in Rude Health for Cheltenham

In the dozen or so races which have dominated ante-post betting on next month's Cheltenham Festival, there are seven favourites quoted at prices 2-1 or less. This prompted one experienced bookies' representative to say that in 30 years he could not remember so many short-priced Cheltenham fancies at this stage.

Paul Nicholls is the trainer responsible for two of the hotpots, including the highest profile favourite of all. Yesterday he paraded Kauto Star, 6-4 for the Gold Cup, and Denman, who is as low as 11-10 for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase, at his Somerset stable and, to the relief of punters up and down the country, pronounced both horses in "fantastic order".

The sheer class of Kauto Star ensures he will remain a skinny price for the Gold Cup, despite his propensity for last-fence blunders, the latest of which came in Newbury's Aon Chase. I understand that led to some pointed remarks from his jockey Ruby Walsh, to the effect that Kauto Star needed a wake-up call.

Nicholls, it would appear, agrees. "He's not stood still since Newbury, we've been hammering the work into him," said the trainer yesterday. "He came out of Newbury well and we had him jumping barrels and all sorts and he jumped beautifully. For the races he's had, he's kept his condition remarkably well. He'll school next week, too, and the week after."

Asked about dangers in the Gold Cup, Nicholls added: "I think Kauto's biggest danger is himself, but Exotic Dancer has done really well and the big plus is that he has done it at Cheltenham. Our lad's in the form of his life, though, and he thrives on racing. I think he'll get the trip. Over three miles in the Betfair Chase at Haydock everyone said he wouldn't stay and he could have gone round again."

Denman was a Festival banker for many last season but, after being sent off 11-10 favourite for the SunAlliance Hurdle, he could not cope with Nicanor. Nicholls provided encouragement for those seeking to recoup the losses. "Last year I didn't think he looked that great when he got to Cheltenham, but he's far better now. Ever since we've had him he's been progressing and he looks in fantastic order."

Denman put up his most impressive chasing performance yet at Newbury this month, when recording his fourth straight win, but Nicholls believes there is still more to build on. "He is a big, green horse still - after the water jump at Newbury he thought about pulling up around the turn," he said. "He takes an awful lot of work to get fit. He might be a Gold Cup horse one day."

Kauto Star was taken out of the Champion Chase at this week's forfeit stage. The David Pipe-trained Well Chief, a best-priced 7-4, is favourite for a race that is no longer the automatic target for last year's winner, Newmill, who will switch to the Champion Hurdle in the event of heavy ground. Ladbrokes have introduced him at 33-1 in their Champion Hurdle betting.

Ron Cox's tip of the day


Holiday Cocktail Wolv'hamptn 4.50

In three hurdles outings since joining his present trainer, John Quinn, this five-year-old has been all at sea on unsuitably soft ground but he is of interest back on Polytrack surface. Fourth behind Writ when last seen here, Holiday Cocktail has earlier form on the track that gives him excellent claims. Quinn has chosen this race for Holiday Cocktail from three entries on the card.