THE PRESENCE OF Kauto Star is a huge boost to the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup today; the 11 year-old is easily one of the most popular and decorated horses in training.

Paul Nicholl’s charge is arguably the most successful horse of modern time; amongst various other Grade Ones the gelding has won four King Georges, two Gold Cups and two Tingle Creek Chases.

Although he has raced in Down Royal twice before, this will represent the first opportunity for many race-goers on these shores to see their equine hero and it would be a surprise if he didn’t boost the attendance by a fraction or two.

Kauto is not the force of old, this year he has dropped some 20 pounds in official rating; but he still sets the standard on form this term with his third-place in both the King George and Gold Cup.

One of the main dangers, Kempes, improved to take the Hennessy in Leopardstown in February, but subsequently pulled-up in Cheltenham behind Long Run and Kauto. Supporters will find hope in the fact that he took the novice chase here last year in impressive fashion, so the course and distance should be no worry for the mount of AP McCoy.

Tom George’s Nacarat provided a minor shock in the Aintree Bowl when making-all and hanging-on to win as Denman struggled behind him. He will likely bid to repeat the same trick from the front today, but it must be a worry that his trainer previously asserted that the horse is a much better animal on a flat track. The undulations of Punchestown may prove too great a strain on his stamina.

Of the rest, Tranquil Sea is worth another crack at this trip after looking out-paced over two-and-a-half miles in Aintree, while Roberta Goldback proved his stamina for this last ten days ago with a victory in Cork and if not still feeling the effects Jessica Harrington’s charge is not a forlorn hope at a big price.

Follow the Plan, Vic Venturi and Rare Bob complete the field. Each would be a shock winner of the event.

The Grade One Champions Bumper looks to be a match between the recent JP McManus purchase Waaheb and Aintree scorer Steps to Freedom. The pair boast by far the best form on offer, and the value choice could be the later who won well the last day after a year on the sidelines.

Nap of the Day

It’s tempting to put Kauto Star up as the day’s nap. Even though he was regressed a little this year with his age he still looks the class horse of the race.

But 11/8 isn’t going to pay off the mortgage so Battle Group in the Irish Daily Mail Novice’s Hurdle might do the job. It’s a very competitive race, with 16 runners and conflicting form lines but at 5/1 he is one of the few that ticks all the right boxes.

He has won over the trip, handles the ground and comes here as the highest rated horse in the field. Improvement is sure to come. He beat a good field of experienced handicappers in Aintree and he has a more convincing look to his form that that of some of his close rivals.

Each-Way

Sizing America looks a bet almost by default in the penultimate race. He ran a fine race in third last year, and runs this year of a three pound lower mark.

He is obviously not the easiest to win with; his win ration is 2-27, but at 20/1 he’s worth risking for the place. He sneaks in off bottom weight, has a jockey claiming five, and comes here a relatively fresh horse with only three runs behind him this season.

It may transpire the form of last year’s race wasn’t the strongest, but he is long enough in the betting to offset the negatives.