Meanwhile, Miko de Beauchene followed up his Welsh National win with victory in Haydock's Red Square Vodka Gold Cup.

BBC: SPORT | Other sport... | Horse Racing | Kauto Star wins Gold Cup warm-up

During the afternoon the prince visited specialist fishing rod manufacturer Harrison Rods in Liverpool and ATG Access, a security company in Haydock.

BBC: Prince of Wales visits Merseyside manufacturers

Darley was born in Staffordshire, served his apprenticeship with Reg Hollinshead and rode his first winner, Dust Up, at Haydock on his 17th birthday.

BBC: Kevin Darley

My raised eyebrows were lowered soon afterwards when Kauto Star positively laughed at his top-notch Haydock rivals, recording an "I was there" performance for all witnesses.

BBC: KAUTO STAR - THE NEW DESERT ORCHID?

Straight-talking Carrie, who led her pride and joy round the parade ring at Haydock as little daughter Hannah watched from her pushchair, may have fewer qualms.

BBC: SPORT | Other Sport | Horse Racing | Ford and Forest Gunner chasing first

But before saddling Kauto Star in what turned out to be his scintillatingly successful first run in a three-mile steeplechase at Haydock, Paul Nicholls did just that.

BBC: KAUTO STAR - THE NEW DESERT ORCHID?

His ride in the Gold Cup is Keen Leader, whom he has ridden just once when the horse won the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock in December.

BBC: Pertemps Hurdle

Turpin Green, who was third in the 2007 Cheltenham Gold Cup, has been out through injury since finishing alone in the Edward Hanmer Chase at Haydock last December.

BBC: McCoy boosts Down Royal meeting