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Every horse has to be beaten one day and despite a game performance giving weight away all round, Kauto Star finished second to Monet's Garden in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree on Sunday.

Trainer Paul Nicholls remains positive for the season after his charge narrowly failed to concede 14lbs to Monet's Garden. He believes the form is hard to fault and his stable star has come out of the race well.

He's back safe and sound and will have an easy couple of days,'' he said.

I was a bit concerned that he raced lazily during the middle part of the race which is unlike him. But to his credit he stayed on strongly and was only beaten a length-and-a- half in the end.

The last time he ran was over three-and-a -quarter miles in the Gold Cup and we had spent all season getting him to settle and relax and we were going into the race a little like that.

"It was two-and-a-half miles on Sunday and a completely different type of race, so we should give the horse a bit of credit going back six furlongs.'' Ashley Brook, who was travelling well in the race until he fell four fences from home, will be on the easy list for a couple of weeks after suffering a cut leg, trainer Kevin Bishop he was running a good race and was thrilled with him.

On the same Aintree card the Barbary Castle- trained Katchit made it seven wins from eight starts when he beat Degas Art in the in the two mile Bonusprint Handicap Hurdle on his seasonal reappearance.

Trainer Norma Pook had a good afternoon at Stratford on Saturday when her charge Magic Rush 14/1 won the Totesport Maiden Hurdle given a good ride by jockey Warren Marston .

A useful performer on the flat it was the five year olds first run over hurdles and beat a competitive field in the class three contest.

Also in the winners' enclosure, much to the delight of the bookmakers, was Swindon jockey George Baker who won the last race but one at Wolverhampton's even-ing meeting on Friday aboard 100/1 shot Kirstys Lad.

Looking ahead to this weekend's action, the feature race on the jumping card at Wetherby is the Charlie Hall Chase.

With the Paul Nicholls trained Denman an absentee due to the ground, state Of Play is ante post favourite.

Last season's Hennessy Gold Cup winner is reported to be fit and well and trainer Evan Williams has had the race in mind for a long time.

However this column's selection is for the Ferdy Murphy-trained Aces Four who ran well against Denman at Cheltenham before winning at Aintree.

Ascot also stages a jump meeting beginning at 12.35pm with a Novices Hurdle. Golden Alchem-ist has an each way chance in the contest. Later in the afternoon Charlton Kings could hold a similar chance in the Listed Byrne Group Handicap Chase.

With the flat season drawing to a close there are plenty of runners entered for the seven-race card at Newmarket.

The Montrose Fillies Stakes could go to the Manton-trained Classic Legend, the mount of Richard Hughes, while the James Seymour Stakes, run over a mile and two furlongs, could be one for the Barry Hills- trained Mashaahed, ridden by his son Richard.

The meeting ends with the Ben Marshall Stakes over a mile that could well go to the Godolphin-trained Cara-dak, the mount of Ted Durkan.

Ayr's seven-race card gets under way at 12.55 pm and the best bets could be Tobar Suil Lady in the Nursery at 1.25pm, recent winner Kinsya in the mile handicap at 2.30pm and Queens Echo, the mount of Paul Hanagan, in the John Smith's Fillies' Handicap.

Kempton takes over the action at 6.20pm with a meeting under the lights. It begins with a two- year-old contest that could be won by Broad Hinton trainer Andy Turnell with Connors' Choice.

Should Young Mick go to post for the Listed Floodlit Stakes at 8.20pm he could be worth an investment.

9:48am Thursday 1st November 2007

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