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He doesn’t need a right-handed track – he’s probably just a little bit better over one.
I’m a buyer at “a little bit better”…
The form ratings look ok going left handed, but how much of that is down to people rating the form through Kauto himself?
For me, he was disappointing in the Gold Cup, disappointing at Aintree and very disappointing at Haydock. Contrast that with his two super impressive King Georges and his demolition job at Ascot.
Maybe so, TDK, but I don’t personally think the evidence is so conclusive, that connections shouldn’t run Kauto Star left-handed again.
If you are right though, I’d love to see him head the weights for the RP Chase.
I’m largely with TDK with this one. The Gold Cup C&D doesn’t suit Kauto IMO (though I think the difference in what way he goes is marginal), and unless he’s clearly better than the remainder of the field and/or gets a muddling pace (both of which- especially the latter- he got in his pomp when he won it) he won’t be winning another. That being said, from an owner’s point of view I would have to feel I’d be wasting my time running a horse like Kauto Star in anything but the biggest races.
Kauto in the Racing Post Chase- that I would love to see.
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Well, my form book says he jumps left-handed; as do his jockey and his trainer, and so do any number of views of his major races.
Stats are fine in their place but, if they defy logic, they are always better questioned imo. Whether it’s LH or RH, the horse has one single defeat at 3m; this season’s Betfair chase, when many thought he would have won anyway, had he not fallen at the last.I don’t think it is quoting a "stat" to say he has been far more impressive going right handed.
He may jump slightly left, but maybe he has some little physical niggle that means he just feels something when he goes anti-clockwise?
Dear oh dear…those that were knocking Best Mates connections for being ever so choosy with his runs are now suggesting that Kauto had better swerve the biggest race of all in which he is only the second most likely winner
Much the same suggestion could have been made about the greatest chaser of recent times…ie Desert Orchid. He HATED left handed course, but thank god he took his chance.
Arent most horse prone to a preference one way or the other…however slight?. Isnt it something to do with their physical makeup?
I wanted to see Best Mate run in a handicap, primarily because the opposition he faced in the Graded races was so weak at the time.
Kauto Star has nothing like as much to prove in terms of his ability. As I said in an earlier post, it is good for the sport that he will run at Cheltenham – I’m just not sure I would run him there if he were mine (especially as he has already won a Gold Cup)
I know…having a dig
I think that was the only real reason (and a fair one) why Best Mate should have run in a handicap and the hennessey would have been at right end of season to keep the GC as a decent target
If Kauto was mine, i might consider the Ryanair. A nice point proving how wonderfully versatile the great horse is.
I tend to be more impressed with success across a few divsions rather than domination of one particular race/distance in certain conditions
The mention of Desert Orchid brings to mind the comment made by his owner when the BBC interviewed him before the Gold Cup –
"To be the major race, the Gold Cup needs Desert Orchid to run in it more than he needs the Gold Cup to prove he’s a great chaser."
Or words to that effect ……..
Being a member of the awkward squad, I’d probably run Kauto Star in the Ryanair just to annoy those who are planning to go for that race to avoid Master Minded and Denman!
I wanted to see Best Mate run in a handicap, primarily because the opposition he faced in the Graded races was so weak at the time.
Kauto Star has nothing like as much to prove in terms of his ability. As I said in an earlier post, it is good for the sport that he will run at Cheltenham – I’m just not sure I would run him there if he were mine (especially as he has already won a Gold Cup)
I would bet you a diamond to a lump of coal you would.
He’s got one horse to beat to make racing history and you might not run him?
PN would call the men in little white coats and get you taken away and he would run him
Seriousy why in all the interviews with the media Clive Smith, Paul Nichols and Ruby have never once mentioned he might be better going left or right.?
Absoute poppycock..
The mention of Desert Orchid brings to mind the comment made by his owner when the BBC interviewed him before the Gold Cup –
"To be the major race, the Gold Cup needs Desert Orchid to run in it more than he needs the Gold Cup to prove he’s a great chaser."
Or words to that effect ……..
Being a member of the awkward squad, I’d probably run Kauto Star in the Ryanair just to annoy those who are planning to go for that race to avoid Master Minded and Denman!
You would definitaly get taken away. I’m surprised they are not here already
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If you could paint the bigger picture for all us, Fists, I would be so grateful – this tunnel-vision is a b*tch.
Given that you’ve (recently) slated Paul Nicholls for his media dealings with regard to Kauto Star, how can you now use his lack of forthrightness as a back-up to your argument?
I think I have put forward a constructive argument which is certainly a bit more involved than someone saying he’s won 6 races going that way so he must be better going that way.
Perhaps you could go back and read the post and repsond like a normal person instead of making snide remarks that get no one anywhere
So far you have said you support this idea but have given no reason with any substance to it.
Go on let’s see something worth reading
It would be good if the ground was on the good side for this years gold cup. Denmans preference is that distance and course – as was the going. Kauto prefers 24f and a right handed course. Remember, just because it would appear that he prefers going right, it dosen’t mean he dislikes going left.
Maybe someone will grow some goolies and run Denman at next years King George.
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Seriousy why in all the interviews with the media Clive Smith, Paul Nichols and Ruby have never once mentioned he might be better going left or right.?
Ruby Walsh, after winning the 06 King George
As you could see, the way he jumped left in the straight, he is a better horse going in the other direction, so imagine if that was at Cheltenham, and he didn’t lose ground at his fences by going out to the left.I’m fairly certain that, with a bit of digging, I could find at least one broadly similar quote from his trainer too.
I think the arguement for a right handed track is not primarily about how many times he has won right handed Fist, but the form of those wins up against left handed wins. And how impressive those wins were.
Must admit I was with you about it being a coincidence, but Alan’s post about us jumping a barrel or something, which leg would we lead off with? And would we feel as comfortable leading with the other leg got me thinking there might be something in it. I am in two minds now what to think.
It may not matter that Kauto goes slightly left handed at a fence (when tired) if he feels more comfortable going right handed he still would be better right handed.
Mark
Value Is Everything
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