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My selections:-
2.00 – Sire De Grugy (Topolski)
2.30 – Quito De La Roque (Wayward Prince)
3.05 – Alberta’s Run (NAP) (Master Minded)
3.40 – Sagalyrique (Alfa Beat)
4.15 – Back In Focus (Westmeath)
4.50 – Golden Chieftain (Swingkeel)
5.25 – Dazzling Susie (Keyaza)The 2009 GC/2009 KG winning version of Kauto Star beats them all. 2008 Denman a close second. Best Mate and Long Run to fight out third place, 10 lengths back.
Definitely the race of the festival for me. I’ve watched the replay a few times now and it was an exhilirating race. At the same time I find it a bit sombre as there is one point at the final bend when Kauto Star appears to be travelling the best of them all, he then goes to kick on, but nothing is there. He just didn’t have the burst of speed he had in his younger years. But age catches up with them all; even then all-time greats.
Denman was fantastic, as always. Incredibly consistent around Cheltenham but has run into one too good over the last 3 years. An exceptional horse in his own right.
Long run is one hell of a horse. To win a King George and a Gold Cup so well, at such a young age, is frightening. Lets hope he stays healthy and can contest the top races for years to come. He has so much potential.
End of an era today, imo, and the start of a new one with Long Run.
Bosranic, once again, an excellent post from yourself. A great read as always. Fully agree with your comments.
Kauto and Denman aren’t the horses they once were but my god they can still put in epic performances. Stunning to see the old two fight it out.
However, today belongs to Long Run and connections. A fantastic race and an incredible win. Amazing to watch.
I’d love to see Kauto win another Gold Cup but I just can’t have him this time based on his last two runs. I’d never write him off completely but he is really up against now. Same goes for Denman despite his valiant effort in the Hennessey. Of the two greats, I think Denman will fair better and run his usual big race into a place.
Long Run is an interesting one. He hasn’t looked great at Cheltenham in the past but was exceptional at Kempton in the King George. If he brings that level of form to Cheltenham, and can handle the demands of a truly run Gold Cup, he has to be in with a big chance. He’s my tentative pick to win with IC and Denman battling out the places.
Firstly, congratulations to Long Run and connections on a great win today. In addition I say well done to those on the forum who picked and backed Long Run.
As for my beloved Kauto Star, I’m gutted
. He didn’t travel well, he didn’t jump well – he just wasn’t himself. I genuinely believe age has finally caught up with him. I’d love to see him have another crack at the Gold Cup but at the same time I wouldn’t like to see anything bad happen to him. He’s had a great career – the greatest since Arkle. Maybe it is time to call it a day.Kauto may be getting on a bit and he may clout the odd fence but the greatest NH horse of the modern era will not be denied his 5th King George. IC, Long Run and the others will try their best but Kauto will be king again on boxing day.
I thought it was going to be Denman’s day when we lost BFT, MDB and Neptune so early, then Pando pulling up. Sadly the big horse couldn’t do it but what a race he had off top weight.
Congrats to Diamond Harry, his connections and those who backed him – it was a great victory.
Denman for me. He is built to carry weight, he’s class and he just loves this race. Pandorama, 2nd. Diamond Harry, 3rd.
Would love to see Kauto contest the Hennessey and put a beating on his rivals. But lets be realistic here, he isn’t built like Denman when it comes to carrying weight and has little chance off 190ish. Denman owns this race. In fact when Denman wins (again) he may have to carry Kauto home!
All jokes aside I’d like to see Kauto give it a shot but it’s a hell of a risk given that KG#5 is his real target.
