King surprised at Kauto entry
Alan King expressed his shock at Kauto Star’s participation in the William Hill – Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday.
King will take the wraps off his Arkle winner Voy Por Ustedes for the first time this season in the Grade One event over two miles – but will come up against Paul Nicholls’ brilliant Betfair Chase winner.
“It is a bit of a surprise that Kauto Star has been declared but we have to get started somewhere,” said King.
“We weren’t expecting to be taking on the highest-rated chaser in training first time out but if you’d have asked me a month ago we would have expected to meet Kauto Star.
“Obviously when he (Kauto Star) won over three miles at Haydock we thought that would be him out of the equation but that has not been the case.
“It has always been our plan to start off in the Tingle Creek and it obviously takes some of the pressure off.
“We couldn’t be happier with him and everything has gone according to plan.
“He schooled last week and he is very much ready to start,” King told At The Races.
Ladbrokes introduced Kauto Star as their 4-7 favourite for the Tingle Creek, while Voy Por Ustedes is a 7-2 chance.
“Kauto Star is undoubtedly the one horse in training that we’re most worried about,” said Ladbrokes spokesman David Williams.
“We’ve laid him for bundles in every race he holds an ante-post entry for.
“We fully expect Paul Nicholls’ charge to send shivers down our spines on Saturday afternoon as he moves one step closer to the really big prizes.”
William Hill – Tingle Creek Chase
Ladbrokes bet: 4-7 Kauto Star, 7-2 Voy Por Ustedes, 6-1 Foreman, 12-1 Ashley Brook, Central House, Fota Island, 20-1 Armaturk, 25-1 Dempsey, 33-1 Cerium, 40-1 Mister McGoldrick, Oneway, 66-1 Hoo La Baloo, 100-1 Full House, 200-1 Coat Of Honour.
