2020 Kauto Star Novices' Chase Tips - Tizzard's star can break-through at Grade On level

The first of three Grade One races on Boxing Day at Kempton's Christmas Festival is the Kauto Star Novices' Chase. This Grade One is named in honour of two-time Gold Cup winner Kauto Star, who also won the King George VI Chase four times during his illustrious career.

The field has been finalised for this year's Kauto Star. Here's our preview and best betting tips for Kempton.

Enrilo has proven himself to be a solid jumper of a fence. Harry Cobden didn't have to ask his mount for much when they won at Exeter last time, and runner-up Darlac has come out and boosted that form with an emphatic win. 

Paul Nicholls' five-year-old travelled powerfully on debut too, but found little when asked for a big effort and was run down by The Mighty Don. There were times over hurdles when Enrilo didn't respond that well for pressure too, and he's bound to come off the bridle at some point on Saturday.

If The Cap Fits beat Fiddlerontheroof and Emitom on his chasing debut, despite some really shoddy jumps in the early stages. His three-mile stamina pulled him out of a hole at Ffos Las, but Harry Fry's charge was found out by Pym at Sandown, where again his jumping wasn't particularly fluent. 

The handicapper thinks If The Cap Fits is a better hurdler than a chaser, and on all evidence, I have to agree. I don't think his jumping will stand up to the scrutiny.

I've been blown away by Shan Blue's jumping since making the switch to chasing. The handicapper obviously has too, upping his rating by 13 pounds following two emphatic wins at Wetherby. Dan Skelton's charge is certainly worthy of a run in Grade One company, and Shan Blue is massively feared. Yet, I'm not prepared to give up on THE BIG BREAKAWAY, and I'm confident he's still the best horse in this race.

On his chase debut, Robbie Power wasn't happy with the way The Big Breakaway was travelling off a slow pace at Cheltenham. Power pushed his mount to the front with three-quarters of a mile left to travel, and The Big Breakaway responded with some excellent jumps, winning by ten lengths while still hard on the bridle.

Colin Tizzard then decided to test The Big Breakaway's speed at Exeter. Yet, the 2/9 favourite never looked comfortable over that distance. Power, again, was forced to set his own fractions out in front, but some sloppy jumps opened the door for Bold Plan to come through and snatch a surprise win.

There's no doubting this horse is a three-miler, so stepping back up in distance will definitely suit. Philip Hobbs' Kalooki has made the running on both his chase starts at Newbury, and set the race up perfectly for Next Destination to clock an excellent time in the John Francombe.

Kalooki's presence is a huge positive for The Big Breakaway, who will jump better when an honest early gallop has been set. Remaining on a right-handed track isn't an issue, and I'm sure he'll have improved for that outing at Exeter.

I put The Big Breakaway up as a potential Cheltenham Festival winner at the start of the season, and nothing I've seen so far this term has put me off. I think he'll win the 2020 Kauto Star.

The Big Breakaway2020 Kauto Star Novices' Chase TipGET 11/4 HERE

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