Yes he was so much better than the other horses but my point was that like so many past gold Cup horses that the race bottomed him and he is very unlikely to repeat such an effort (medical conditions or not).
Notably, I think the reason that Kauto Star remained effective in 07/08 season was because the Gold Cup in '07 was run at a steady pace and he did not need to produce the tremendous effort normally required to win. _________________ Thinking differently is the only way to win at this game. Even if it makes you look a fool sometimes!
Read an interesting piece from Nicky Henderson where he was bigging up the chances of Barber’s Shop.
He says the step up to 3 miles last time out really suited him as at that distance he is able to go ‘a stride or two slower’ than in the 20 furlong contests he had previously been running in. Consequently, the slower pace has seen his jumping improve and he can travel effortlessly through a race.
He worked and schooled excellently at the weekend and he states that whereas the ’big guns’ aren’t getting any better Barber’s Shop definitely is!
but then it has to be a slow pace for Barbers Shop to win going by what Henderson is saying. If it goes like that then Kauto becomes a much bigger threat than he already is
but then it has to be a slow pace for Barbers Shop to win going by what Henderson is saying. If it goes like that then Kauto becomes a much bigger threat than he already is
I don't think Henderson is saying that the pace needs to be slow at all, old boy.
Barbers Shops previously 2 races at Cheltenham were over 20 furlongs - the Jewson's and Paddy Power Gold Cup as opposed to the 26.5 of the CGC.
Even in the fastest of fast CGC's the pace there is going to be nowhere near as frenetic as that in those 2 large field races. Because of the extra distance logic dictates that the pace will be 'a stride of two slower' otherwise charges will burn out long before, and I do mean long before, the home straight. He will find the slower pace a revelation after what he has been used to and can therefore get into an easy going jumping and travelling rhythm.
Bob Champion believes Kauto Star can make racing history by becoming the first horse to regain the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday week.
Successful in 2007, he had to settle for second place behind his stablemate Denman but is 7-4 favourite with the sponsors to do what no other chaser has done in the blue riband of jump racing, which was first run in 1924.
Champion made a remarkable recovery from testicular cancer in 1979 after being given just six months to live by doctors and not only returned to race-riding after several months of chemotherapy but won the Grand National in 1981 on Aldaniti, a comeback feat immortalised by the film 'Champions'.
That triumph was voted by totesport customers as the greatest comeback of all time in a survey conducted by the bookmaker in the run-up to the Gold Cup.
"Kauto Star has exactly what it takes to regain the Gold Cup," said Champion.
"He's a classy individual who has bounced back to his very best this season and goes into the Festival with the best recent form. It would be great to see him take the crown of Cheltenham's comeback king."
Champion's thoughts were echoed by totesport spokesman George Primarolo, who said: "Kauto Star has a chance to make racing history and punters certainly think he's up to the task.
"He'll definitely go off favourite for the race and the roar from the crowd will be deafening if he crosses the line in front."
Totesport have put a £1,000 bet on Kauto Star at starting price with all proceeds going to the Bob Champion Cancer Trust should he win the Gold Cup.
I sincerely hope that Kauto does not win this year, not because I don't rate him, but because it will more than likely mean the race has been run at a crawl for the first circuit, yet the chances of this are thankfully low given that three of the major opposition to him need a steady consistent pace to be shown at their best. Denman, Exotic Dancer and Madison Du Berlais definitely will want the race to be run at a good clip so that they have the opportunity to shine. The problem for them is that they all have serious questions about their chances, which could lead to another large priced winner of this race. Who is this setting it all up for, why Albertas Run of course! Another former RSA winner, who though he does need a faster surface than raced on last time, has the unrated Dominic Elsworth on his back, and has a trainer who seems to be getting his horses back to form. 25/1 available earlier in the week is all gone, now generally 16s and 20s.
JR - What would your reaction to Kauto be if it is run at a "true" pace and he still wins?
I would quite happily acclaim him as one of the finest chasers of all time, doing something no other has done in reclaiming the blue riband. There wouldn't be any quibbling about what he beat and how it was done, I would even say that Paul Nicholls is a genius
I still think if it werent for the unseated horse in 07 Exotic Dancer would be a champion, but thats all whats and if's.
The pace is likely to be as good as last year which wont play to Kauto's strengths unless he has improved massively.
Exotic Dancer has definately improved from last seasons form (anyone disagree?) Im not saying he's a revelation but he is giving an impression that he's getting back to where he should be, and this may just tie in to the fact that his trainer's stable are hitting form again this season.
Albertas' Run also has improved to finish placed in a Grade 1 contest. Ok so he is ground dependant but Barbers Shop hasnt been placed in grade 1 company, nor has he carried this weight in a chase before and hasnt come up against this level of competition.
I wouldnt have imagined saying this at the start of the season, but the form horses are Exotic Dancer and Madison Du Berlais, but I cannot be having the latter!
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Join! (free) 
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
