Tom Scudamore believes that Kauto Star will be at his most vulnerable in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

Trainer Paul Nicholls confirmed last night that the dual Gold Cup winner will make his seasonal debut and his fourth successive appearance in the Grade 1 race, despite facing testing conditions and possibly 12 rivals.

Kauto Star has been installed a 10-11 favourite with Sky Bet to secure a third victory in the event.The nine-year-old won the Betfair Chase in 2006 and 2007 but failed to complete the hat-trick 12 months ago when he unseated Sam Thomas at the last as a 2-5 favourite.

And Scudamore, who is set to partner last season's Hennessy Gold Cup winner Madison Du Berlais for trainer David Pipe, says that Kauto Star will have to be near his best to win over three miles at the Merseyside track.

"Sometimes you think that horses are unbeatable but as the weekend proved with Master Minded, they don't always do it for you," said Scudamore.

"All Madison Du Berlais did last year was improve and we can only hope that he has improved again since he is only eight. He is taking on one of the all-time greats in Kauto Star and there's no point in kidding ourselves, it is going to be hard to beat him.

"But at the same time, Madison Du Berlais goes there with a great chance. Age might be a factor for the champion and, although he's won the race twice, he's also been beaten at Haydock.

"Those are two strong arguments and this is arguably the race where he is at his most vulnerable. Hopefully, it will be a race to savour."

Jim Dreaper is expected to give the green light to Irish raider Notre Pere if he comes through a schooling session. Last season's Welsh National winner fell in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal on his return earlier this month.

But Dreaper said: "He came out of his fall fine."

Sky Bet: 10-11 Kauto Star, 9-4 Notre Pere, 9-2 Madison Du Berlais, 15-2 Imperial Commander, 12 Barbers Shop, 12 Tidal Bay, 20 Nacarat, Halcon Genelardais, 33-1 bar.