KEMPTON'S King George V1 Chase surely belongs to Kauto Star (2.20) provided nothing untoward happens over the 18 fences which must be negotiated in the £200,000 thriller.

Connoisseurs of the National Hunt scene are already in no doubt that the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding is something very special, having witnessed him blitz a series of quality fields since returning from his summer break.

A blend of speed and stamina is the perfect recipe to reach the pinnacle of the staying chasers' world, so the fact Kauto Star scooped Haydock's three-mile Betfair Chase then the two-mile Tingle Creek at Sandown proves he's the undisputed top dog.

Both victories were achieved by wide margins against seasoned chasers, which quantified into speed figure terms puts the odds-on market leader in a league of his own compared to all eight rivals in the big race.

"He's had an uninterrupted preparation and I couldn't be more happy about him," revealed Nicholls in an upbeat bulletin from his Ditcheat stronghold in Somerset.

Northern challenger Monet's Garden deserves a mention, having won ten of his 15 lifetime starts, a superb record which has unsurprisingly elevated the giant grey to apple-of-the-eye status as far as his handler, Nicky Richards, is concerned.

Monet's Garden is a class act in his own right, but the official ratings confirm he's probably going to have to play second fiddle on this occasion to Kauto Star.

Nearer to home the most exciting race at Sedgefield's Bank Holiday meeting could well turn out to be the three-mile-three-furlong Handicap Chase in which Lazy But Lively (1.00) gets the nod.

Roger Fisher's ten-year-old is admittedly no Speedy Gonzalez, but he just keeps grinding when others have thrown in the towel. Underfoot conditions are also ideal, plus he's some 37lb lower than his career high mark of 123 three years ago

Another individual happy that the mud hasn't dried up is Sabreflight (2.10) from Howard Johnson's nearby Crook stable.

Although Sabreflight looked all over the winner on her Hexham reappearance at the beginning of the month, she dramatically emptied immediately after hitting the front, allowing Torkinking to regain the advantage.

Johnson's mare shouldn't encounter similar problems at today's less testing venue, especially with the benefit of that pipe-opener safely under her belt.

Finally to Wetherby where the valuable £50,000 Rowland Meryck Handicap Chase takes centre stage.

Redworth-near-Darlington trained Ossmoses is certain to be popular, but in my book he's too high in the weights and preference is for Truckers Tavern (1.25) from Sue Smith's in-form yard.

"Truckers", a one-time Cheltenham Gold Cup third when in the care of Ferdy Murphy, has since switched to Sue Smith, who seems to have got his sap rising judged by a cracking second placing at Haydock ten days ago.

Leave the nap to track specialist Jimmy Bond (3.05), an alarming market drifter when performing dismally at Newcastle.

Now back on his favourite stamping ground, he'll be revved up for a decent stab at winning the Racing UK Handicap Chase.