Gold Cup trio head Betfair Chase list
Gold Cup-winning trio Kauto Star, Denman and Imperial Commander feature among a fascinating list of 19 entries for the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 20.
Kauto Star took the Cheltenham crown in 2007 and 2009, Denman was victorious in between and Imperial Commander is the reigning champion.
Kauto Star and Imperial Commander fought out one of the most thrilling finishes of the entire season in this race 12 months ago, with the former gaining the verdict by a nose after a tense photo finish.
One horse who has already proven he is at the peak of his powers this season is Tom George's Nacarat.
The dashing grey was a brilliant winner of the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby last Saturday and the trainer is considering a trip to Merseyside.
"We have to see how Nacarat is before committing to the Betfair Chase but it is a possibility at this stage," said the Gloucestershire handler.
"The initial impression is that he couldn't have come out of the race at Wetherby any better.
"The vet and the physio have both been to see him and he trotted up looking like a four-year-old this morning, not like a nine-year-old.
"His participation will also depend on the ground. He goes on good to soft and soft ground, but he wouldn't want it heavy, so we will see how he is and what the ground is like. If it comes up good ground, it would play into our hands."
As well as Kauto Star and Denman, champion trainer Paul Nicholls has also entered What A Friend and Noland.
Last year's Ryanair and Melling Chase winner Albertas Run could return to three miles, while Nicky Henderson has given entries to the exciting Long Run and recent Kempton winner Riverside Theatre.
Other interesting contenders include the Willie Mullins-trained Cooldine, David Pipe's Ascot winner Massini's Maguire and Howard Johnson's mercurial talent Tidal Bay.
