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I’ve always had the impression Long Run is a bit thick and isn’t the smartest kid on the block, gawd knows if Yogi can’t teach him to get it right who can?
I’m not sure if they are maybe not trying too hard to perfect his jumping at home but his jump at the last was very much exaggerated and looked straight out of the how to over school a horse manual.
His impression of Skippy the Kangaroo was the high spot of his round
I could almost hear him asking "is that what you want me to do" duh!!!Long Run is certainly no natural jumper judging by all we have seen of him!! Perhaps the King George will be Kautos Gold Cup though as he is better horse on these flat tracks than at Cheltenham.
SHL
A vintage performance from Kauto Star.
There’s no doubt that he was primed to go today. Connections wanted to know just how much he had left in him and the only way to find out was to have him as fit as he’s ever been.
Long Run is arguably the only one to take from the race who can reverse the form at Kempton and, in my opinion, he has nothing to fear form the remainder except Arkle hero Captain Chris – a horse whom we can expect to improve immensely for stepping up to three miles.
I’m still not sure Master Minded will stay three miles – even around Kempton – and fully expect Ruby to be on Kauto come Boxing Day.
It’s not so easy to pick holes in the form of todays race. He did it the hard way, broke the track record in the process and won by eight lengths from Long Run, who was the paddock pick. Diamond Harry has an immaculate record fresh and both Time For Rupert and Weird Al were fit from their Wetherby exertions.
Each horse, boasting very different attributes, took a pop at Kauto at some some stage during the contest and he brushed them aside through a combination of accurate jumping, a high cruising speed and an unparalleled will to win.
It was interesting to hear Paul Nicholls say that Kauto was making a noise on the gallops during his campaign last year, but that such issues had not returned this year.
One could argue that today was his Gold Cup – reminiscent of Well Chief’s Connaught Chase success in 2009 – but if he were a couple of years younger, would we still be so quick to ignore this effort?
Rememeber, he is the outstanding chaser of the modern era and boasts records that even Arkle and Dessie would envy. He is not just another ‘great’ horse, he is a legend and only a fool would dismiss his chances at both Kempton and Cheltenham this season.
He has the ability to reach the frame in both and, at this stage of his career, that would be some achievement.
The point is, the way you beat Long Run is by serving it up to him. If you keep jumping alongside him, he screws up and, like all bullies, he doesn’t like someone who can stand up to him.
As far as the Gold Cup goes, before now (well, between Weapons Amnesty being declared out for the season and now) I thought Burton Port, game as anything and tough as old boots, could be the one to dethrone Long Run.
Now, however, I wonder…I wonder…
Believe.
BlueSky @pghenn.bsky.social
So don't run, just like the others always do
Yes, but did anyone watch the 3.10 seller at Lingfield?
Seriously, it was a phenomenal performance.
It’s great that there is so much admiration on here for the animal.
What is so meaningful about that victory is that it elevates him nearer and nearer to the status of "Best chaser in History."
I don’t want to bring back the Arkle debate, and I know everything is temporal, esp with horse racing….but if he were to win another King George or Gold Cup he would SURELY be the best ever!
Realistically, I’d have to back Long Run in the KG and Gold Cup over Kauto as there is no doubt whatsoever you will see a lot tighter animal on those occasions, but KS did beat him by a fair few lengths today.
Will Kauto try and make all in those two races? I’d struggle to see him holding on in the GC, but King George….I’d still have to go with Long Run as he brushed KS aside easily last year.
Still, makes for an fascinating jumps season.
The only thing Kauto could do after those two races would be to come back for the 2012 or 2013 Grand National and win!!!!!
That would enshrine him as the greatest.
Lastly, watching the Betfair emphasised in my mind, that the performance of Denman when he beat Kauto in the Gold Cup was the best performance I have ever seen from a chaser. You can argue all day long about how good Kauto was on that day, but I have not seen another horse that could have done that to Kauto in his pomp in that manner. Denman was never the same after that, though he gave some respectable runs.
Zip
I love your logic
Denman beats Kauto but was never the same again Just ignore Ruby. everyone else did to his annoyance when he said "he never felt right at any point during the entire race"It’s amazing Paul Nichols has brought Kauto back from the dead and Master Minded but when he brought Denman back to run the best race of his life behind Kauto in the Gold Cup and then go on and win yet another Hennessy of top weight he couldn’t possibly be the same horse
I’d say that was a bit more than respectable.You should really take of those rose coloured glasses Harry Findlay sold you and look at the hard facts. The proximity of Neptune Collonges in both Gold Cups holds all the answers.
Denman beat him almost identical distances in both Gold Cups something anyone with your point of view chooses to totally ignore or says it was just coincidence. Or maybe he’s another one who was never quite the same again?
Neptune Collonges had just won a listed Chase at Wicanton before running 3rd behind Denman. The following year when finishing the almost same distance behind him he has just won the Grade 1 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.
That’s the facts and everything points to an under par run from Kauto Star that flattered Denman big time.
Kauto V Arkle I can live with butt for Pete’s sake leave that big galloping one paced tank of a thing out of it.
Interesting point, pointed out by Bos on Kauto making funny noises on the gallops last year. The plot thickens
Was great today – magnificent animal – hope they skip the kg and go straight to the gold cup – never thought i would say that
Beau Ranger – that was my thought exactly. Kauto Star has lost his change of gear, so the KG would not be an option if I owned the horse because Long Run will be back on his A game (well, at least A-), plus the owner has Master Minded – another horse who has lost his change of pace.
Infact the manor of which Kauto Start galloped and run his rivals into the ground was reminiscent of what Denman did to him in the 2008 Gold Cup. Rather like a smart footballer who changes his playing style due to the loss of that "extra yard", Walsh and Nicholls have done well to recognise and adapt Kauto’s running style.
Therefore, the longer trip and stiffer test Cheltenham brings would play to Kauto’s adapted strenghts so I would rest him and freshen him up for a Cheltenham swan song.
With the likelihood that both Kauto Star and Denman (Lexus pending) could be signing off next March means I better get cracking and book my Gold Cup tickets!!!
Neptune Collonges was injured in one Gold Cup, so that would have made a difference to the finishing distances.
Wonder what this will do to official ratings. Will the handicapper now admit the over inflated rating of Long Run(imo)? If not, Kauto’s just served up somewhere near 190 hasn’t he?… and done it going away.
It’s hard to gauge how fit Long Run was compared with Kauto, but my suspisions are he was fit enough if good enough. He stayed on remarkably after being under pressure a long way out which isnt something I would usually associated with a horse who’s lacking fitness. I think, wierd as it sounds, the 11 year old they were going to retire has just done the 6 year old King George and Gold Cup winner for speedKauto may have lost a yard since his Tingle Creek days, but there’s no doubt in my mind that not one of his rivals yesterday could compete in a top class two mile event around a place like Sandown, which places maximum effort on rhythm and the ability to travel at pace.
The attributes that have defined, arguably, such an unparalleled career may not be the force they once were, but as a collective package Kauto Star still boasts weapons that no amount of training or schooling can improve. Qualities, such as an equal abundance of speed and stamina, agility and courage, are innate and have allowed him to compete – and win – at the highest level for a record breaking seven successive campaigns.
Age catches up with all of us but, like many of his rivals on the racecourse, it’s having difficulty catching Kauto!
So good to read such passion from everyone. I’m in a minority of one when it comes to racing enthusiasm amongst my friends.
What a brilliant win. My god he is some horse. had to avoid race result and watch when i got home from work. Had tears and goosebumps.
Obviously Long Run needed the race but was very interesting to see how horses that had had a run previously performed. Time for Rupert and Weird Al beaten a long way.
Should they retire him? Probably but its ok to dream isn’t it?
Does anyone know the plans for Denman? Can’t find anything online anywhere?
Denman’s going to the Lexus followed by the Gold Cup, all being well.
Fantastic result yesterday – didn’t know whether to laugh or cry so ended up doing both at the same time ..
Having now watched the replay I must say a small tear escaped my eye. I wish I had seen it live as I think I would have been in floods like I was when Sea The STars won his Arc.
Beautiful jumping today and he had Long Run off the bridle a long way. I am sure Yogi Breisner will work on the latter’s jumping but what can you with Kauto?! I was one of those desperate for him to call it a day and not face the inevitable humiliation of the decline that befalls every ageing champion.
I. amongst others, was comprehensively and delightedly proved wrong. to all those doubters who said he did not have the guts of Denman, that performance was all heart and true exceptional ability.
Kauto…I will be in the queue to retrain you as an eventer when the sad day finally comes…
But not yet…
Whatever Racing for Change do to try to bring people racing this is what they need; a truly great horse. Hasn’t captured the imagination of the general public in the way that Dessie did, but then not many great horses will be pure white and have fan clubs. I think one of my main reasons for wanting him to retire last year is the dread of something happening to him on the racetrack, in a selfish ‘it would be so bad for the sport’ way as well as worry for the horse himself. Having Kauto and Denman parading before Gold Cups for the next x number of years [even when they’re old and woolly] will bring in the crowds. I hope beyond hope that will happen. Also, I know I’ve said this elsewhere, and he probably isn’t looking at the forum any more [and if he isn’t doesn’t bother a jot about my opinion!] Fist pointed out how trul awesome this horse was way before anyone else realised he was anything other than very good. If you are reading, Fist; you were right sir, and I applaud you. I keep watching the re runs of the race, safe in the knowledge that it has a happy ending! And I’m still crying when I do.
The point is, the way you beat Long Run is by serving it up to him. If you keep jumping alongside him, he screws up and, like all bullies, he doesn’t like someone who can stand up to him.
Fantastic post.
Magnificent. Absolutely magnificent. I’m still full of emotion. I had tears in my eyes yesterday and still have them today when I watch the replay. This win showed really the beauty of horse racing. It’s not all about betting and winning money but it’s about emotions and heroic performances…
The point is, the way you beat Long Run is by serving it up to him. If you keep jumping alongside him, he screws up and, like all bullies, he doesn’t like someone who can stand up to him.
Fantastic post.
But he took Kauto on at Kempton last year…SWC put him upsides KS whenever possible and ultimately outjumped and outgalloped him. Don’t think that theory holds up personally.
I could almost hear him asking "is that what you want me to do" duh!!!
Denman beats Kauto but was never the same again 
Just ignore Ruby. everyone else did to his annoyance when he said "he never felt right at any point during the entire race"
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