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For my money, and for whatever reason, Kauto Star ran below his best right from after the 07 King George right up until the 08 renewal. He won a couple of races in that period, but only beat the the non-staying Monet’s Garden and modest Light On The Broom to do so.
However, he showed he was back to his imperious best when winning last year’s KG and confirmed that at Cheltenham.
Whatever his problems were, he’s certainly over them now, and I doubt any of these will even come close to giving him any sort of test today.Kauto pretty lucky there – was definitely behind both just before and after the line but head was in the right place at the right time
How pooor was notre pere? Pace seemed to much for him perhaps but that was a bad run…
How pooor was notre pere? Pace seemed to much for him perhaps but that was a bad run…
About as good as he is away from a mudbath imo
Is the great Kauto Star’s Kempton Crown sitting slightly askew ?
I seriously thought I’d done my dough there. Phew !
I was thinking about certain comments made after the race relating to Kauto Star. I heard one commentator say that he’d be much better suited by Kempton and Cheltenham – and better ground. Paul Nicholls said that he was pleased to hear Ruby say that KS needed that. Hmm ? I thought PN would have already been aware of that.
Yet, in spite of my liking for the horse, his undoubted class, his achievements, his star popularity etc; there remains this niggling feeling in me that he has been somewhat wrapped in cotton wool and not fully tested – a charge often fired at the much mailgned Best Mate.
Now, there was another horse, let me tell you – an Irish animal, who raced many years ago, and who used to carry large weights and …
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
Fabulous race
"Pretty lucky"?? IMO Kauto Star emerges with his reputation enhanced having added courage-in-spades to his superlative form
Imperial Commander has revealed on several occasions – notably off a break as today – just what a tough, resolute, free-going and polished jumper he is. And he’s far from exposed particularly so at 3m
NTD’s usually thrive when stepped-up and rarely do they lack tenacity in a finish
Both horses can hold their heads high in pride having fought out that epic finish
IC has improved his form
KS has maintained his form and is now the complete steeplechaserOne is no more worthy than the other
I repeat:
fabulous race
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It’s a funny old game NH. Last season many think Kauto would have won but for unseating Sam Thomas last year and this year he would have probably been beaten had it not been for Imprerial Commander blundering at the 3rd last.
Nigel TD did say last season Imperial Commander is the best he’s ever trained and the only reason that would put anyone off saying he was the main danger wasthat everytime he’s tackled 3 miles he’s looked like he didn’t stay.
No doubt he’ll be backed to topple Kauto in the King George but despite a brilliant performance today I can’t see him turning the tables. Not that Kauto wasn’t fit today he obviously was but he’ll be 110% for the King George all being well and is near on unbeatble round there when he’s spot on.
Nigel TD has most likely been thinking along the same lines as Jonjo was 2 years ago with Exotic Dancer…If you are going to beat the champion catch him first time out..and I would think Imperial Commander was as fit as he’s ever been in his life today.
He’s done a fantastic job has NTD and almsot pulled it off but hat’s off to PN, Kauto Star and the best jockey in the world IMVHO Ruby Walsh, they did it again.
Now it’s on to a 4th King George and another Gold Cup? Astounding achievment if he can pull it off.
What a race given the conditions. Kauto yet again comes out on top in what was an excellent battle with IC.
As for the "somewhat wrapped up in cotton wool and not fully tested" suggestion by Himself I’m going to assume that was a joke as it is utter nonsense when directed at Kauto Star.
Roll on the King George!
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Why did we not see the photo? I must admit I thought Kauto had lost – was surprised when he was called the winner
Doesn’t care for the course. Doesn’t care for the ground. A gruelling slog on his seasonal debut and yet the result is still the same.
Kauto Star showed us nothing new today. We knew he was tough and seldom loses a battle. Our Vic chinned him at Aintree in ’08, but that’s about it.
Is his King George crown slipping? Not a chance. Anyone who thinks the horse we saw today will be the same one aiming for a fourth consecutive King George need their head examined.
Imperial Commander, always best when fresh, was brushed aside last year by 72L after landing the Paddy Power in impressive fashion. He’ll get closer this time, can’t fail to really, but it will be one almighty shock if he prevents Kauto from making history.
One could also argue that he’s better on a left-handed track.
Kempton is Kauto’s kingdom and there’s not a horse in-training that can even get close to him around there. Barring incident, he’s in the winners enclosure already.
As we saw last week at Cheltenham, Paul Nicholls is a man who can’t hide his disappointment. He looked thoroughly thrilled, perhaps relieved, today.
Kauto was far from fully wound up. He travelled well enough, but Ruby was slightly, ever so slightly, nudging him every now and then and Kauto needed that for match sharness as much as anything.
A funny race wasn’t it, really? The two speedier types, who have displayed top class form over shorter distances, fared best in a field of stamina-laden opposition.
Imperial Commander lost nothing in defeat, but he’ll never get that close to Kauto again.
As for Kauto being wrapped up in cotton wool. A bit harsh, in my opinion. He was well campaigned in 06 – 07, taking in the Tingle Creek and King George en route to the Gold Cup. He ran five times in five months that season.
He competed six times the following season, including at Aintree just a few weeks after his gruelling Gold Cup defeat.
He’s earned the right to pick and choose his races these days and an incredible King George / Gold Cup treble is well within his grasp being campaigned in such a way.
GOOOO KAUTO!!!!!!! Love absolutely LOVE that horse!! What a star. He was tired out his legs so heavy them last few furlongs yet still gave it his all and went on to win. Good performance from imperial commander. Brave effort. Kauto will only get better for that run, bring on the King George and then the GOLD CUP!!
Gutsy performance from KS and IC surprised me. Dont think IC will get that close to him in King George as NTD’s horses always seem to start the season well then tail off for a period.
I agree about him being wrapped up in cotton wool but think its more a sign of the times and not just applicable to KS. I dont think we will now see top class horses run 70 times or so in their career like Dessie did.
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Why did we not see the photo? I must admit I thought Kauto had lost – was surprised when he was called the winner
Really? I honestly thought he had won on the nod even looking at the photo. He was nearly 2/1 on Betfair which must have had a few people in doubt though.
You can get the photoe…if you buy it
Watching the race again he’s gone,has Kauto, about 3 out Ruby reaaly got after him and he was running on pure guts. Ruby has said he needed it so imagine what he can do when he;s 100%
Horse is just fantastic!I’m too a bit bamboozled "H" if you read this. What do you mean wrapped up in cotton wool?
He’s not a young horse anymore and if you want him to keep winning you have to look after the horse. He simply doesn’t have it in him to be running every other week and be on the top of his form.
PN got critisised by many for going to Aintree, myself included and Ruby who knows him better than anyone was never that happy with the idea……If he is well he could take in Ascot but why risk it again. I want to see him win another King George and a Gold Cup then back him again to win his 5th King George and the 2011 Gold Cup. Run him into the ground and he could be be gone by this time next season.
As far as the 2012 King George is concerned according to the movie 2012 the going could be heavy
Watching the race again he’s gone,has Kauto, about 3 out Ruby reaaly got after him and he was running on pure guts. Ruby has said he needed it so imagine what he can do when he;s 100%
Horse is just fantastic!Agreed, Fist.
Even when he went a few lengths up, you could see he was running on empty between the last two. It was like watching the race in slow-motion.
Thankfully, he looked perky after the race and I don’t think todays slog will leave a mark.
Paul will have him primed for Boxing Day and, personally, I can’t wait.
C’mon, Kauto!
Well done for Kauto for battling on, but you also have to say well done to Imperial Commander who went a few lengths behind the Gold Cup holder, and he came back to almost get him on the line, great run by Imperial Commander.
I thought that Imperial Commander had actually won, i thought Kauto had been beaten.
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