 |
 |
|
|
|
2007-08 Betfair Million |
Stable Staff to Get Greater Share of Betfair Million Bonus This Season 17/10/07
THE path to the 2007-08 Betfair Million began in earnest when the 2007 Northwest Racing Masters - the weekend of top-class jump racing at Haydock and Aintree, of which the Betfair Chase at the former track is the first highlight - was launched at Paul Nicholls’ stables at Ditcheat yesterday.
 |
And the star of the show was undoubtedly 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 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 Park 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 with Betfair to be won again by any horse, and that the early exchange betting on the Betfair Chase sees Kauto Star as a 5-4 chance. He is also 6-4 with Betfair to win the King George and just over 9-4 (2.4-1) 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, as I haven’t plucked up the courage to tell him yet!
"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 - but of course we recognise how hard it is to get a horse fit and firing for one race, with optimum conditions, let alone three.
"But the fact remains that it is only a 6-1 chance that any horse wins the Betfair Million again, and Kauto Star is the outstanding candidate to do so.
"We hope the Betfair Chase on November 24, the first leg of the Betfair Million, will attract all the top-class staying chasers. And not just because of the bonus, as it is a very valuable Grade One prize in its own right.
"But if Paul does win the race with Kauto Star, then bizarrely
he is the probably the most likely person who can stop him winning the
Million, such are his riches in the staying chase division!
"At the start of last season it was decided not to insure against
the Million being won, and that is the case again this time around. There
was never any real prospect of us not offering the bonus again, despite
the seven-figure payout.
"When you look around Paul’s stables and see the likes of Denman, Taranis, Star de Mohaison and Neptune Collonges, you realize what a task Kauto Star has to stage a repeat. And that is without the likes of My Way De Solzen and Exotic Dancer being factored into the equation.
"But the Betfair Million is there to be won again this season and
I hope we pay out again, although our CF0 Stephen Morana may think differently…….."
WILL THE 2007-08 BETFAIR MILLION BE WON?
Betfair bet: 2-13 No, 6-1 Yes.
KAUTO STAR
Betfair bet: 5-4 to win the Betfair Chase; 6-4 to win the King George,
9-4 to win the Gold Cup.
WHAT TIMEFORM THINK ABOUT THE TOP CONTENDERS
Kauto Star
"Kauto Star’s Timeform rating is the joint highest (with Moscow Flyer) achieved by a jumper since Desert Orchid, and has been bettered only by Arkle (212), Flyingbolt (210), Mill House (191), Desert Orchid (187) and Dunkirk (186) in the now-extensive period since the end of the Second World War."
Last year’s Old Roan Chase "……represented
outstanding form, on paper better than any effort recorded in Britain
or Ireland the previous season."
The 2006 Betfair Chase - "Kauto Star started a hot favourite and
gave an exhilarating performance, never putting a foot wrong and travelling
really well before quickening clear in the home straight. Kauto Star
won in breathtaking style, looking like a horse who hadn’t really
started to race in earnest as he annihilated the field, barely off the
bridle at any stage and still full of running at the line."
"Kauto Star’s achievements in the latest season were remarkable"
Exotic Dancer
 |
"The Jonjo O’Neill-trained Exotic Dancer stands head and shoulders above most of the potential Gold Cup candidates at Manor Farm Stables, with the obvious exception of Kauto Star who was in a different league to everything else in the latest season."
"Exotic Dancer may not be able to hold a candle to Kauto Star but he is a top-class chaser, clearly superior to the rest of the established chasers around three miles in the latest season."
Denman
 |
"……the strapping Denman looks destined for the top after his novice season. He demolished a good field in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Festival"
"The 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup is a long way off but Denman looks a very exciting prospect, his second season over fences something to look forward to with relish."
"Denman’s form was well above average for the season’s
leading novice and his performances in novice company - as opposed to
open company - have been bettered only by Florida Pearl, Escartefigue,
Looks Like Trouble, Nick Dundee and Carvill’s Hill since Chasers & Hurdlers
began (1975/76)"
My Way de Solzen
Last year’s Arkle Chase - "My Way de Solzen gave a flawless performance, jumping splendidly."
"My Way de Solzen is a superb jumper of fences and, all in all, looks a most exciting prospect."
Current Timeform Ratings
Kauto Star 184+, Exotic Dancer 175+, Kicking King 168+,The Listener 168,
Trabolgan 167, Beef Or Salmon 167x, War Of Attrition 165, Denman 161p,
Neptune Collonges 161, Monet’s Garden 160, Aces Four 157p, My Way
de Solzen 157p.
