Kauto in frame for Sandown

KAUTO STAR is only 2lb clear of stablemate Neptune Collonges for the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown after the duo finished behind Denman last week.

The latter of the two Paul Nicholls-trained stablemates is a further 9lb ahead of the Gold Cup fourth Halcon Genelardais, who is next in the list.

Because of the presence of Kauto Star, only 10 of the 83 entries are in the weights proper for the end-of-season showpiece at the Esher venue - and five of those are trained by Nicholls.

Those who would be racing off their correct marks are Racing Demon, Star De Mohaison, Turko, Albertas Run, Madison Du Berlais, Knowhere and Hoo La Baloo.

Among the others, the likes of the Cheltenham Festival winner An Accordion, Simon, Ungaro and Butler's Cabin all sit out of the handicap.

The Irish entrants Point Barrow, Patsy Hall, Royal County Star, Church Island and Dun Doire would face a huge task at the weights if Kauto Star were to run.

Despite An Accordion sitting out of the handicap, sponsors Bet365 have priced him up as their 7 to 1 favourite, while Kauto Star has been put in as a 2 to 1 chance with-a-run.

"We were impressed with An Accordion's battling victory at the Cheltenham Festival last week, and our race looks an ideal event for him," said Bet365 spokesman Pat Cooney.

"It's a high-quality list of entries and promises to be a very competitive race. We would obviously love Kauto Star to run, but his plans are uncertain so we have priced him at 2 to 1 with a run."

A total of 110 horses have been entered for the Coral Scottish National at Ayr on April 19th.

Welsh National winner Miko De Beauchene, heads the sponsor's list with the Aintree favourite Cloudy Lane not far behind, but his participation would have to be in some doubt.

Sue Smith's Himalayan Trail, an impressive winner of the Midlands Grand National on Saturday, also figures prominently in the betting, along with Lothian Falcon.

Ferdy Murphy's Noir Et Vert, King Harald and Mr Pointment are other leading fancies.