Kauto stars again

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Travelling sweetly for new jockey Sam Thomas, a huge leap at the third-last took him clear of My Way De Solzen.

Exotic Dancer, who chased home Kauto Star in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham, emerged as a real threat after the last, but Paul Nicholls' star (4-5 favourite) showed real grit and determination to win by half a length.

Nicholls said: "Paddy (Brennan, on Ollie Magern) went bursting off in front and Sam had to change the tactics as we were going to drop him in.

"He then got left in front a little bit, but he has done the right thing and the horse has jumped and travelled.

"I said last time he would need the run at Aintree and there aren't many three-mile chasers who would have laid up with Monet's Garden that day.

"This and the Gold Cup have always been his targets. Obviously there is one in between (King George VI Chase), but the Gold Cup is the race I want to win with him now. This shows we are back where we were."

Thomas added: "He was awesome and is such a big horse. He got a bit tight into the last but barely made a mistake, and he is a pleasure to ride.

"Exotic Dancer was always going to be a threat and I had done it the hard way by chasing Ollie Magern, but my fellow has dug deep all the way to the line.

"I am looking forward to watching the videos. I am thankful to Paul and Clive Smith (owner), it is a great milestone in my career."