By Frank Keogh

Walsh, Smith and Kauto Star are used to celebrating triumph

Owner Clive Smith has told BBC Sport he is "more than hopeful" his enigmatic Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Kauto Star will win the big race on Friday.

Kauto Star is unbeaten in five contests at five different tracks this season and is a general 6-4 chance for Festival glory.

But jumping blunders late on in his last two triumphs have left racing fans divided over his prospects.

Smith said: "There's so many things that can stop him winning, but one horse has got to be first past the post, and I'm more than hopeful it will be him."

Victory in the blue riband of steeplechasing would earn a �1m bonus offered to any horse that can complete the treble of the Betfair Chase at Haydock, the King George VI Chase at Kempton and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Having taken the first two legs this season, businessman Smith is in line for the lion's share of the Betfair Million windfall.

We need luck in running in the race but I do think Kauto Star can win Owner Clive Smith

He has also backed the seven-year-old horse at a range of prices, including a "small amount" at a whopping 140-1 with the bonus sponsors.

"For many years I have had this dream of winning the Gold Cup. If I win any money, I would eventually dispose of it, but I would always have the Gold Cup," said Smith.

French-bred Kauto Star, who is trained by Nicholls in Somerset and ridden by Irishman Walsh, exercised with stablemate Thisthatandtother on Saturday.

"He's absolutely fine and we are looking forward to the race," said the Berkshire-based owner, who has built up his personal wealth through building golf courses.

Heavy rain in the build-up to the Festival, which starts on Tuesday, has led to the prospect of soft ground conditions, but they should not hinder the market leader.

"It could be very nice ground for us," said Smith, who bought the horse for �280,000 three years ago.

"We need luck in running in the race, and I'll get more nervous right up to the day, but I do think he can win."

I had a few pounds on him back in October or November Clive Smith

He rates the Tony McCoy-ridden Exotic Dancer, who was given an eight-length beating in the King George despite Kauto Star's late blunders, as the chief rival.

McCoy was aboard L'Ami, another Gold Cup hopeful, when he ran Kauto Star close on his last run in the Aon Chase at Newbury in February.

"I think Exotic Dancer is the main danger. He will be ridden by Tony McCoy, who will probably try to tail him all the way, and get past us. We just have to hope he doesn't," said the 64-year-old Smith.

While Exotic Dancer has won twice at Cheltenham this season, Kauto Star has only run once at the track - when he fell at the third in the 2006 Champion Chase.

However, Smith believes his star will be suited by the undulating Gloucestershire course's unique demands.