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I think Bos, the reason why connections like to have a lead at the last for Kauto, is just in case he makes a mistake (as we know he can) and loses ground / momentum. KS did make a mistake there but lost little ground. Had Thomas not got in front at the last he may not have won, certainly not had KS made a bigger mistake.
Opinions eh!?
Mark
Value Is EverythingI think Bos, the reason why connections like to have a lead at the last for Kauto, is just in case he makes a mistake (as we know he can) and loses ground / momentum. KS did make a mistake there but lost little ground. Had Thomas not got in front at the last he may not have won, certainly not had KS made a bigger mistake.
Opinions eh!?[/color:2nzr1qsy]
Mark
It’s why we all log on.[/color:2nzr1qsy]
KS is nothing like his old self, clearly.
There’ll be no gold cups this year, next year or ever again.
Well, how that unfolded towards the end.
He seemed to be jumping ok until he came into the home straight.
Although he fell, i think he was going to get beat anyway, he didnt seem to making much impression on Tamarinbleu, then jumping the last, he just didnt get the under-carriage out.
What a dramatic race that was. Fair play to Snoopy Loopy’s connections for bagging a big un.
Good run by Tamarinbleu up at three miles.
Exotic Dancer didn’t jump well enough for me and I think he wants softer ground.
Kauto, well he’s a battler and may well have won had he stood up, however he’s still not the same horse at the moment as he was two years ago.
That was hard to watch. Firstly, I’m glad both Kauto and Sam got up ok – that is the important thing. However, I don’t think that Kauto travelled well at all and even if he survived that fence I’m not sure he’d have won. I will reserve judgement until after the King George but this was not a good day for Kauto fans
Yes, i too am very glad that he seems fine.
It didnt look nice at all the way he sprawled allover the floor on all fours, but was nice to see him get up.
Sam Thomas thinks that if Kauto Star had stood up, he would have won. Good for him, but i have the opposite opinion.
To my eyes kauto star was not going to win he looked tired when he made the mistake,i hope he is alright.
That was quite similar to Aintree, when Kauto seemed to be going well enough (niggled just before) until making a bad mistake and soon beaten. At Haydock, it seems to favour front runners since the alterations (like so many courses). Tamarinbleu and Snoopy Loopy were initially given an easy lead without having to exert themselves much at all.
Can not understand the new tactics of the Twister team. Ollie need to be ridden prominently. That changed the race entirely.
Cloudy Lane also had no chance the way he was ridden, seemingly ridden for the future.
Did not go fast enough for Exotic Dancer, pulled and did not jump well (not that he is the best of jumpers normally).
Not absolutely certain even Tamarinbleu stayed the trip. I know he has some form at 3m but his very best is over shorter. Did look all over the winner after the last.
Snoopy Loopy is a cracking horse, genuine and as tough as they come. Delighted for connections who deserve a change of luck, after Special Envoy a year ago, McKelvey etc.
I know I said about a stamina doubt about Kauto Star, it is still there but don’t really see this as proof at this stage. Too soon to write off Kauto Star. Although the noseband is a worry. Is it me or does he hold his head a little higher these days? I know Nicholls has put it on a lot of his runners, but I remember when Celtic Swing’s trainer Lady Herries did the same in his classic year. Think it was to stop him idling, thinking he’s done enough.
It was also a bad day for the yard so it could even be the start of a virus. Did win the second last so may be that is a bit strong. Judge that after tomorrow.Fingers crossed the real Kauto emerges from Kempton.
Mark
Value Is EverythingI reckon he’d have won if he jumped the last, but it would have been hard-fought. The Nicholls team suffering a little dip in form is the best explanation and I too won’t be writing him off.
I just hope he’s sound in the morning because he twisted a lot of joints in his fall and hit the side of the fence pretty hard in the previous mistake…a horse that makes the sort of jumping errors that he does in most races is always going to come down at some point, especially when they’re tired…..really chuffed for the Bowen’s however who needed a bit of good luck!
I thought he would win today but it is not unusual for French breds to begin to lose their lustre as they reach nine (might be Exotic Dancer’s problem too). Could be something but I fear we have seen the best of old champ’.
I know a lot of people will disagree with what I’m about to say and dismiss it as an excuse, but I don’t think Sam gave him a great ride (again).
He allowed a high class two / two and a half mile chaser, who has won over three miles, an easy lead off a rather pedestrian pace and didn’t ask him a serious question until the second last when it was obvious he had a fight on his hands.
Conversely, last year, when the pace was certainly quicker under more testing conditions, he decided to make his move five out.
When the horse entered the straight, Sam decided to follow the far rail. Some might say a wise move, but when you look at Kauto’s catalogue of errors on left-handed tracks, they have come down the far rail – his defeat of L’Ami in the Aon Chase at Newbury and his final fence blunder in the 2007 Gold Cup.
After that mistake three out, which wouldn’t have done his confidence any good, he brought the horse back to the centre of the track, before being unseated at the final fence.
I thought Kauto was sent to the front way too soon last year given the conditions and circumstances. On this occasion, he should’ve taken closer order earlier and let go turning for home.
As for his wellbeing and retention of ability. He travelled well and jumped, ears pricked. Believe me, he’s A1.
I said in a previous post that I felt Exotic Dancer was flattered to get as close as he did to Kauto last year. With a more patient ride I think the winning margin would’ve been bigger, but perhaps I’m not giving credit where it’s due to Exotic Dancer.
You can discard the form of last years Gold Cup, Betfair Bowl and Old Roan chase between them for obvious reasons. That leaves us with four races to analyse between Kauto Star and Exotic Dancer.
The average winning distance for Kauto on a right-handed track is 10L. On a left-handed track it’s 1 1/2L.
If Kauto stayed on his feet (actually, he did and ST was unseated
) the jockey felt he would have won (I’ll trust his instinct on this one) and chances are he would’ve beat ED by about three lengths.Doesn’t that mean Kauto would’ve run up to form? Are we once again exaggerating his ‘decline’?
He’ll still be the one to beat at Kempton, but I’m sure Howard Johnson has a shining light that could lower his colours.
I can’t make Exotic Dancer out – Kauto departs and he still can’t win. Head being scratched, what are we to make of the form??
I agree Bos. With Ruby on board it could have been different. I’m still gutted though
) the jockey felt he would have won (I’ll trust his instinct on this one) and chances are he would’ve beat ED by about three lengths.
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