Kauto Star – Place in history

[vikingflagship]

kauto star really is a superstar, todays preformance was stunning, his jumping spot on
and i was also pleased denman ran such a great race in improving soo much from how he was 3weeks ago

vf

[Librettist]

He jumped beautifully today, well done Kauto Star. I just wonder that if Denman was ridden as positively as last year whether he would’ve pressured Kauto Star’s jumping and forced him into an error or two. Whatever, a great performance.

[Prufrock]

Even an old difficult-to-impress like me was bowled over by that. Fantastic.

[% MAN]

I just cannot wait for next year where we will hopefully have both Kauto and Denman turn up with uninterrupted build-up’s and then we can have "The Decider".

That is for the future.

Today was a race of all round positives.

Today’s performance was very, very impressive indeed.

It was really great to see Kauto win and it was equally great to see Denman putting the terrible Kempton performance behind him.

Neptune Collonges did well on unsuitable ground.

[cormack15]

I think if they’d have known Denman was in as good order as he was they’d have sent him about his business earlier. i think they nursed him but his strength is grinding them down. Not knocking teh PN team, it’s always easy with hindsight.

Great win for Kauto Star, a real champion and yes, better than Best Mate I think. KS would have won best Mate’s Gold Cups turning handsprings I guess.

[Himself]

Interesting to hear Paul Nicholls say that Denman ran much better than they thought he would. Hmmm?

Is Kauto Star a such good thing next year if both he and Denman arrive at Cheltenham fit and well. Not necessarily. If the ground is tacky and a 100% fit Denman lays it down to Kauto Star as he did in 2008, then it will be intriguing to say the least. Everything was in Kauto’s favour today and thus it proved.

There’s also Cooldine to consider. He may prove the fly in the ointment.

Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning

[moehat]

I hope the Irish can come up with a challenger next year; I have a vision of a Gold Cup full of nothing but P Nicholls trained horses…..

[Peruvian Chief]

Agreed – admirable as they are, Team Dicheat are too good for my liking!!

I always loved / love to see the following get turned over – Liverpool (80’s), Man Utd (90’s), Steve Davis (80’s), Stephen Hendry (90’s), Eric Bristow (80’s), Phil Taylor (forever).

I now for similar reasons like to see Dicheat and Coolmore lose a big race from time to time – no bigger compliment can i pay them to be fair.

[BeauRanger]

Its the french breds and the rich owners – take nothing away from paul he does a great job and has some great horses – but you cant force a horse to win a gold cup. I do miss the nortons coin days

Im not big on statistics but since chelt put the drainage in that increases the chance of better ground I feel that some of the irish chasers have lost their advantage. It is all clay round here so it holds the moisture everywhere but the track …. but the course dries out very quickly these days – that makes it more predictable.

Some of those promising young irish horses are going to step up to the plate one of these days – dunguib is a monster

I feel they have changed the nature of the ground just by putting the drainage in but a stats anorack would be able to give a better opinion.

[moehat]

At least they don’t seem to have worked out how to win a Grand National yet…..but I suppose it’s only a matter of time….

[Peruvian Chief]

As Nicholls himself pointed out, My Will ran a decent trial today.

[moehat]

and Eurotrek has got an entry……

[Anonymous]

A magnificent performance from one of racing’s true all-time greats, and Ruby was adamant that he is the best he’s ever ridden,which of course includes Denman and Masterminded.
It was clear from the post-race comments of connections that Denman was never going to be seriously ridden, and they were delighted he finished were he did, understandable in the circumstances but, without the advantage of soft ground, doubtful imo that he would have beaten Kauto Star today, whatever his readiness.
The hosepipe brigade might care to consider that today’s result would probably have been quite different had the ground been similar to last year, and that is the

real

difference that over-watering makes in prejudicing some horse’s chances, and the results of even the very highest class races,
It is also plain to see now that KS wasn’t himself last year and, by the time he’d pinged the 4th fence today, it was obvious he was a much different animal to the one who had laboured around the course the previous season. Clearly, great trainer though he is, P Nicholls doesn’t always get it right.

[Peruvian Chief]

Has he indeed Moehat – goes nicely fresh does Trekky…….

[Jamsym]

I’m STILL buzzing. He’d have carried Best Mate. Best Mate would’ve been forth today.

To say kauto would have beaten best mate is one thing but to say best mate would be 4th is just a joke.

[seepigeon]

A magnificent performance from one of racing’s true all-time greats, and Ruby was adamant that he is the best he’s ever ridden,which of course includes Denman and Masterminded.
It was clear from the post-race comments of connections that Denman was never going to be seriously ridden, and they were delighted he finished were he did, understandable in the circumstances but, without the advantage of soft ground, doubtful imo that he would have beaten Kauto Star today, whatever his readiness.
The hosepipe brigade might care to consider that today’s result would probably have been quite different had the ground been similar to last year, and that is the

real

difference that over-watering makes in prejudicing some horse’s chances, and the results of even the very highest class races,
It is also plain to see now that KS wasn’t himself last year and, by the time he’d pinged the 4th fence today, it was obvious he was a much different animal to the one who had laboured around the course the previous season. Clearly, great trainer though he is, P Nicholls doesn’t always get it right.

Of course Denman was ridden seriously this year, more conservatively yes but on that ground I doubt Denman could have made a decisive break.
Even so had Kauto Star not been on the top of his form then Denman would have won. Kauto benefitted from the ground today just as Denman did last year, and if they meet again in 2010 it is likley the ground will again be a major factor.

What elevates Kauto Star to true superstar status is his abilty to win at a greater range of distances and types of course

[Rob V]

I was expecting Denman to make a break for it with a circuit left and try to turn on the pressure. Even so, I still think KS would’ve won.

Kauto Star put up a sparkling performance and deserves his place amongst the greats

[Author]

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