Solzen to star at Haydock

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), Nov 23, 2007

Byline: By NICK ROBSON Sports Correspondent

KAUTO STAR'S defeat on his seasonal reappearance raised more questions than answers and he can be taken on withMy Way De Solzen in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

The champion chaser went through last season unbeaten and even though that sequence came to an end behind Monet's Garden at Aintree, it was the manner of his defeat which was slightly alarming.

Paul Nicholls' Gold Cup winner was labouring a mile out in the Old Roan Chase, admittedly behind a very decent tool in receipt of over a stone.

On the book, his performance was as good as anything he put up last season but to the naked eye it was not all that satisfactory.

As a result,My WayDe Solzen is the logical alternative.

He is another who showed reserves of stamina to win over three miles in Grade One company when he took the World Hurdle in 2006, and reverted back to two miles to land the Arkle over fences last season.

Alack of a recent run is a slight concern but ability-wise, he is the only sensible possibility when it comes to taking on the favourite.

The valuable Betfair "Fixed Brush"

Handicap Hurdle looks very competitive - as it should be for the huge prize money on offer - but Air Force One looks well treated.

Charlie Mann's charge only gave best to Wichita Lineman at the Cheltenham Festival and is starting his campaign off here before going chasing.

There is also some decent action on the all-weather at Lingfield, where nobody would begrudge Borderlescott a success in the Play Casino At ladbrokes.com Stakes.

He must be the most unlucky horse in training and has a string of near-misses to his name but there is no doubting his ability.

Tough and genuine, the only question mark iswhether or not he canadapt tothe Polytrack surface.

The other Listed race on the card, the Play Bingo At ladbrokes.com Stakes, could see the return to form of Mick Easterby's Gentleman's Deal.

The six-year-old mixes his racing career with time at stud these days as he is also a successful stallion.

He won theWinter Derby last year and this looks his first target of the season after a recent spin at York.

ASCOT: 12.10 Hennessy, 12.45 Knighton Lad, 1.20 Pablo Du Charmil, 1.50 Hardy Eustace (nap), 2.20 Howle Hill, 2.55 Labelthou, 3.30 Seven Is My Number.

HAYDOCK: 12.30 Tazbar, 1.05 Gwanako, 1.35 Air Force One, 2.05 My Way De Solzen, 2.35 Lothian Falcon, 3.10 Roman Ark, 3.45 Le Vert Galant HUNTINGDON: 12.20 Natoumba, 12.55 Kawagino, 1.25 Checkerboard, 1.55 Blaeberry, 2.25 Metaphoric, 3.00 Russian Trigger, 3.35 Aces Four.

LINGFIELD: 12.05 Ever Cheerful, 12.40 Fastella, 1.10 Anfield Dream, 1.40 Llab Nala, 2.10 Princess Taylor, 2.45 Borderlescott, 3.15 Gentleman's Deal, 3.50 Partners In Jazz.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 7.00 Marino Prince, 7.30 Cozy Tiger, 7.55 Davidia, 8.25 Ten Pole Tudor, 8.55 Desert Hawk, 9.20 River Kirov.

Double: Hardy Eustace and My Way De Solzen.