Under The Spotlight: Episode 6: Master Minded As I write this, we are exactly 3 weeks away from the 2011 running of the King George Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. However, it might not be any old King George- it might, and I must stress this as only my opinion, might be one of the most exciting renewals for ten years. Of course, it depends on who exactly turns up, but there are some top table chasers from the 2m division who add so much spice to this years event and of course the unanswered questions and fantastic sub-plots which unravel themselves in front of us all come December 26th. I am of course referring to Round 4 of Kauto Star v Long Run, not to mention a potentially exciting step up in trip for Captain Chris, but perhaps more subtly in the backdrop of that headline attraction, another coming together for Master Minded and Somersby, which might provide more than just the sub-plot people might think come the end of the race. As I am sure you are all aware, I have been supportive of Somersbyâs case to run a blinder in the King George as he steps up in trip, and he would be my antepost e/w bet unless Henrietta Knight makes the crazy decision of pulling him out. However, Master Minded has to be the most intriguing horse of all of the 2011 renewal, as he brings outstanding form coupled with huge stamina questions, and he really does split opinion. Paul Nicholls is a firm believer that 2m on good ground is simply too quick for Master Minded nowadays, and has earmarked the King George as his main target from the very beginning this season, which I think is telling, particularly when you consider that it has since emerged that Kauto Starâs two-race plan for the season was in fact the Betfair Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and therefore all of Master Mindedâs preparation has been to be 100% and firing on all cylinders for Kempton. Kempton has typically seemed to suit horses who have good cruising speed and exceptionally accurate jumping- Kauto Star proved it 4 times and Long Run was almost faultless last season, both tracking the pace and jumping brilliantly when winning. Master Minded certainly has those qualities, but whereas Kauto Star and Long Run have both proved they can get 3m 2f at Cheltenham, Master Minded has only shown he gets 2m 4f at Aintree, and ultimately this is where the debate begins. What are the signs that you believe point to Master Minded staying the trip at Kempton or not staying? Will his jumping give him a big chance of lasting home and getting them off the bridle 4 from home? I have been looking for comparisons during my research and I thought that perhaps Kicking King is one horse that gives Master Minded supporters some cause for optimism, racing prominently as a 2 miler and then was able to use that to his advantage over 3m. He wasnât perfect at first and on one or two occasions, people may have argued he didnât stay. But given time, he did, and he won two King Georges and a Gold Cup. I think the tag âbridleâ horse does Master Minded a disservice and I suspect Paul Nicholls must be quietly confident that this fellow stays 3m around a flat Kempton, otherwise he would just not be entered. When he has travelled well in his races, he has more often than not ran on well when asked to lengthen, so just because he seemed tired at the end of some of his defeats, it was usually because he was beaten some way out, and I suspect that means it was not the distance that found him out. (Examples include QM Champion Chases 2010 and 2011, ridden along in the first, and therefore not travelling, and beaten 31L in the 2nd, suggesting he was not on his game). He is a been a difficult horse to get fit as he has got older, as Nicholls states, and he sounded supremely confident that not only would he come on for his first run to second, but that the second run would have him spot on for the King George. Personally I think he does need a trip these days, and 2 and half miles on good to soft would be perfect. However, I think Kemptonâs 3m also should suit- he can sit in around 3rd, and jump efficiently enough to have himself bang in contention come 4 out. Then it might be a case of who he has got off the bridle. Master Minded was overrated by Timeform, but donât let that fool you about a horse who, when 100%, is one of the best chasers in the world and proven at 2 and a half miles, and it would be exceptionally dangerous to rule him out at a less testing 3m track such as Kempton Park. He has been brought to the boil nicely for his tilt at a King George, and I think he adds a fantastic angle to a race that deserves horses of his calibre to attempt to win. Just 3 weeks to go- letâs get the discussion rolling and rightfully get excited about one of the biggest fixtures of the jumps race calendar. Can Master Minded play to his strengths and get them off the bridle in the King George? Will Somersby be able to reverse form over 3m? Have we underestimated Master Minded's ability given he won with ease over 2 and a half miles at Aintree? Whatever you think, have your say and enjoy the race. Thanks as always, -Top
He maybe able to reverse the form with MM but he or MM wont win the King George! 2 words for you! LONG RUN But great write up as always toppy! Great read!!!!
Definitely a rightful favourite Woolcombe! I think this is his big acid test for the season. I remember looking at him before the off in the Betfair chase and remember saying to myself '**** me, he looks MASSIVE'. He has seriously grown since last season and I definitely think he will come on for the run. Do you think he'll be emphatic at Kempton this season, or will he have a fight on his hands?
He will definately have a fight on his hands, he will not win it as easy as last year. This years competitions looks better than last year. Especially if Kauto runs. This year you got CC, Wierd Al (who completely benefited from his change of yards,)Diamond harry (who would have only benefited from his 1st run back in year), Somersby and MM. Although I dont think somersby will be able to win, If MM is on top form which he will need to be he will give the leaders a good run for his money. I do expect a massive run from Diamond Harry he looked good at the betfair chase but just blew out of steam! But Long run has grown massively from last year. He doesnt run well fresh last year and the yr before proved that. NH will know what went wrong in that race and will work on it. But a kauto in his betfair form will again give Long Run a good run for his money, but I think age will prevail 3 years ago or even 2 he will have done the double but every day goes past he gets older and I just think he find it too much after that fantastic win! and long run will just keep getting better and better as the season prevails starting with this!
And I have even mention Captain Chris- was a shame he pulled out of the Amlin that would hav given and big sense of how good he was and if he can crack it these big guns!
I must admit I'm firmly in the "won't stay" camp. To me Master Minded has always looked to be coming to the end of his tether over 20f and with Long Run in the race on Boxing Day there will be no hiding place. The King George is usually run at a true pace and I think this will continue to be the trend, as it is usually the main Christmas target in the UK for the Gold Cup horses. I don't believe it is within the reaches of a horse who might only just get the trip. Hunting round for the first 2 miles will mean the main protagonists will be out of reach. On the breeding side there is little to think he will stay 3 miles on his sires (Nikos) side. Other notable progeny of his sire Nikos are Cenkos (2 miler), Nakir (16-20f), Oh Crick (16-20f, did try 22f but was slaughtered by monets Garden). Nikos did sire some stayers of lesser ability (top rated being Eric's Charm) and there is hope that his dam side could give him stamina - his dam was sired by Garde Royale who also sired Garde Champetre, Royal Auclair, Royal Rosa and Nicanor. If Long Run is to be toppled this season in the King George (and his throne is already wobbling) I think it will only be by Kauto Star jumping him into the ground again.
Somersby is a 2nd rate chaser, when was the last time he won a graded race? MM pissed all over him LTO conceeding weight, you realy are waisting your money backing him. I feel MM has a great chance, and will be the biggest threat to Long Run, I've seen 13/2 floating about I think that's a very good price for a horse of his quality. I remember the way MM won at Aintree, he was tanking along as they turned in, and when Ruby gave him some rein he put daylight between himself and the rest, in a matter of strides, and galloped further and further clear all the way to the line still on the bit. He certainly didn't look like a horse who was tired, he looked like he could go round again. MM career has been badly affected, by the fact he has been crying out for 3 miles for years, but connections have been reluctant to pitch him in against, the apple of there eye Kauto Star, but now he finally gets his chance, and I expect a massive performance. 13/2 is the best bet of the season so far
Shergar that Aintree race was slow by 9.5 secs on Good ground - they crawled round and it turned into a sprint. Another Walsh masterclass but it doesn't convince me MM will get 3 miles.
I've been saying for a while that Long Run is nowhere, and I do mean, nowhere near the superstar that is Kauto Star! When an 11 yo KS can show him a clean pair of heels goodness knows what a prime Kauto would have done to him.... Long Run might, might win the King George but, on topic, I fully expect Master Minded to carry those famous colours home in front yet again. Long Run is a plodder..plodder..plodder. Master Minded is all class and has the gears. Long Run simply won't see which way he's gone.
You cant say Long Run is a plodder going no where when winning a King George and GC in the same year up agaisnt some of the competition he did, yes Kauto and denman werent on top form but you can only beat what is front of you he wont the King George by 12L and the Gold Cup by 7 lengths that is some acheivement. Long Run does not run well early in the season, but I can guarentee Long Run will put MM to shame in december and prove to nicholls that he will have some work to do when Kauto finally retires to have a top class chaser to keep up with Long Run!
Since 1980 only 6 horses have won back to back in the season, Dessie, See More Business, Best Mate, Kicking king, Kauto Star & Long Run so to say he is a plodder is like saying wigan will win the premiership! rubbish
Wooly I'm being slightly tongue in cheek / playful with my words when I call LR a plodder but I merely say that as response to an awful load of rubbish I heard when this horse won his one and only King George last year. How he could have beaten Kauto Star in any of his King George victories Long Run's a decent horse but he didn't beat anything other than two declining legends of the game in his GC win. He's hardly likely to win a couple of Tingle Creeks now is he
Beef....Im sorry mate, but you are talking absolute nonsense, Long Run is 6 years old and he has won a Gold Cup and a King George, and is a far more talented horse than Kauto Star was at the same age. Kauto Star at the age of 6 tipped over in the Champion Chase, whilst Long Run done the business in the blue riband. Even at age 7 Kauto Star was knowere near as good as Long Run, when KS won his first Gold Cup, 147 rated handicapper Turpin Green got within 5 lenghs of him. Do you realy believe any 147 rated Handicapper could have got near Long Run in last years Gold Cup. We can all say KS and Denman where over the hill last year, but they were still both exceptionally good horse's, look what Kauto Star did in the Betfair 8 months on, and look what Denman did in last years Hennessy, conceeding 2 stone to the whole field and coming 3rd of 18. I can assure you that the 11yo KS and Denman were a far tougher challenge than what KS faced in his debut Gold Cup, the likes of Exotic Dancer and Turpin Green got alot closer to KS than Denman and KS did to Long Run, and Long Run was a year younger
MM is too slow for 2m,unplaced in the last two CC's,and won't stay 3m.He is only eight yet he's a battle hardened 27 time racer who was ridiculously calibrated at 186 by Phil Smith and his team in the first G1 they assessed.The rating was wrong. If MM was such a class act he would be campaigning over 2m.The trainer has more or less conceded that he needs to find a trip where the horse can be competitive..ergo find soft opposition since he has been utterly outclassed,as stated,at the festival for the last two seasons. Staggered at the frequently articulated myth that Kemptom is an easy 3m.Nonsense. Off the top of my head I recall Chinrullah,Anaglogs Daughter,VPU,Native Upmanship,Azertyuiop,Forpaddytheplasterer,Monets Garden,Remittance Man amongst the crack 2m'ers who failed to last the "easy" 3m at KP,I'm sure there are many more. MM makes little appeal at 2m or 3m. The epitome of hype on the hoof.
The form of Edredon Bleu is a more compelling argumentative tool than that of Kicking King. He won a CC and was an out and out two miler in his formative years before taking the KG latterly.
I know alot of people can't agree that MM ran to 186, but he did beat Voy Pour Ustedes by 19 lenghs, a horse that had won the Arkle and Champion Chase in the last 2 seasons. He has slowed up as he's got older, but I dont think any 2 miler past or present could have lived with him when he was 5 maybe with the exception of Flyingbolt
Have to agree Dex. The King George is an "easier" race than the Cheltenham Gold Cup as it is a flat 3m, whereas the CGC is 3m 2f 110y on an undulating course. But to say the King George is a "soft" 3 miles doesn't hold water for me - it is (usually) a very truly run race at championship pace. They often finish strung out like washing.
