Improving chaser has been winning the races that count

32Red Kauto Star Novices’ Chase
1.55 Kempton

Ballyoptic had some classy form over hurdles, albeit unlucky at times, before getting off the mark over fences on his chase debut at Exeter. He would have finished a good deal closer but for a last-fence blunder at Cheltenham last time in a race that surprisingly hasn’t produced the winner of this. Soft ground won’t worry him.

Black Corton beat Ballyoptic fair and square at Cheltenham last month. He narrowly failed to give Elegant Escape 3lb at Newbury last time and is progressive after six victories in small fields, although the majority have been on decent ground.