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Happy retirement, Kauto Star. The greatest horse I have ever seen. Exceptional from 2m to the extended 3m 2f. Incredible victories and records that will take some beating. A legend.
1:30 Balder Succes
2:05 Citizenship
2:40 Brindisi Breeze
3:20 Kauto Star (NAP)
4:00 Barbers Shop
4:40 Changing Times
5:15 Bellvano1:30 Peddlers Cross
2:05 Sonofvic
2:40 Rubi Light
3:20 Big Buck’s (NAP)
4:00 Niceonefrankie
4:40 Midnight Appeal1:30 Soll
2:05 Cotton Mill
2:40 Grands Crus (NAP)
3:20 Sizing Europe
4:00 Carlito Brigante
4:40 Kazlian
5:15 Moscow MannonStunning performance from Sprinter Sacre. Wow – can’t wait to see what he can do in the future.
1.30pm Montbazon
2.05pm Cue Card
2.40pm The Package
3.20pm Hurricane Fly
4.00pm Scotsirish
4.40pm Quevega
5.15pm Bless The WingsI’m on Cue Card antepost and I think he will run a big race tomorrow but I’m far from confident that he’ll win. Sprinter Sacre scares the hell out of me and to a lessor extent Al Ferof. Both look class so it should a hell of a race. C’mon Cue Card!
Arazi’s 1991 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
"…AND ARAZI RUNS RIGHT BY HIM!"
Kauto can win but it seems highly unlikely – just not to me. I’m rather biased though as he’s my favourite horse.
I think, with a sprinkle of hope, that if Kauto Star turns up showing no ill effects from his recent fall he will surprise everyone. His preparation over the last 2 weeks hasn’t been ideal but if he travels well on the day and jumps like his previous 2 races then he must be in with a great chance. Kauto for me.
I think Paul’s comments on the "ageless" Kauto Star are based on Kauto’s great victories this season and his affection towards the horse.
Kauto has put in some fantastic jumps this season and has been very consistent too (he hasn’t destroyed any fences like he used to) but he isn’t within 10lbs of his peak. He doesn’t have that turn of foot he once had nor does finish races like he used to. However, the OAP version of Kauto we have now is still very much top class based on current opposition.
Big Bucks is top class and today he yet again powered home after looking in trouble for a bit. However, is it unfair to say his greatness is elevated by the fact that the 3m hurdle division is terribly weak? Don’t get me wrong his 15 wins in a row is very rare indeed and worthy of praise. I’d just love to see him over fences next season so he can be tested in higher company. As for the WH in March – they should just award him the win now.
For me it has to be Harchibald in the 2005 Champion Hurdle. It was my big antepost bet of that festival – actually it was my biggest AP bet of all the festivals I’ve attended.
I remember it so well – he cruises up between Hardy Eustace and Brace Inca, over the last, and Carberry waits…. and waits…. still cruising…. not passed HE yet… still cruising… Carberry still waits… then… "OH-****-HARDY-EUSTACE-ISNT-GIVING-UP-SO-TIME-TO-PULL-THE-TRIGGER-ON-HARCHI". Yet he found nothing once asked to kick on and the gutsy Hardy Eustace battled on to win.
Broke my heart, well, my wallet actually. Although I always have a good laugh about it now with my mates – it’s one of those festival moments we always bring up every time Cheltenham comes around.
A few favourites for me:-
Long Run powering past Kauto and Denman, up the hill, to win the Gold Cup.
Frankel leaving the field for dead in the 2000 Guineas.
Kauto Star jumping the field silly to win the Betfair Chase then going on to win the KG for a record 5th time.
If Kauto jumps and travels at Cheltenham like he did in his previous two races this season then he has to be a serious contender for the GC.
Long Run should benefit from the extended 3m 2f but Kauto has made him look stupid twice on the jumping front this season. If Kauto takes a positive position at the front and gets his jumping going he could be very hard to catch. We all know Long Run has a terrific engine but if his jumping goes to pieces then his staying power won’t count for much. He has to be up there with Kauto at the right time to kick on otherwise he’ll be chasing Kauto’s a*se up the hill.
Grand Crus is a very interesting runner based on his recent victory but I can’t see him beating the big two (yet). Captain Chris I like and I think he could run into a place if it comes right for him on the day.
Head still says Long Run but heart says Kauto. So it’s Kauto for me this time, EW.
I fancy Rubi Light to win as he looks the business and I don’t think the distance or ground will be a problem. I’m sure QDLR will be thereabouts as he will stay all day but he’s as slow as a snail
….and I have my concerns about him keeping up with RL when it really matters. Rubi Light for me by a few lengths.All heads must bow, all tongues must profess – Kauto Star is the greatest of all-time. Incredible.
Just wanted to post to say thanks to Bosranic for his excellent preview and analysis of the race – thank you. An enjoyable and informative read. Nothing I can add that you haven’t covered!
Given the strength of the field it should be a great race. My money is already on Long Run and I will likely back him again on the day too. While I’d love to see Kauto do it for a historic 5th time it has to be the young champion for me.
….and I have my concerns about him keeping up with RL when it really matters. Rubi Light for me by a few lengths.