[Hwjb]

Kauto Star has been the outstanding chaser of the season and it's fitting he should cap it with a success in the Gold Cup, bringing with it the £1m bonus from Betfair, having also won the Lancashire Chase and the King George, and certain success in the Order of Merit. In terms of form this ranks as one of his least outstanding performances of his 6-race unbeaten run though it will have gone a long way towards silencing his doubters, Kauto Star again jumping well until the final fence, whilst he put his stamp on a muddling race most impressively when manoeuvred wide off the home turn, holding the runner-up in briefly; his best form is only a little in front of fellow tip-top Gold Cup winners Kicking King and Master Oats and still short of Desert Orchid's, though he's barely been extended as he's won Grade 1s at trips ranging from 2m (beat Champion Chase winner Voy Por Ustedes) to 3¼m, and, with time still very much on his side, he's still likely to prove himself a truly exceptional talent if ever he faces one nearly as good.