Much-awaited clash with Long Run hangs in the balance after two-time Gold Cup champ - and long time second favourite for 2012 running - takes a 'tumble' at Ditcheat There is no easy way to say this, but Kauto Star is only 50-50 to make the Cheltenham Gold Cup after a fall schooling. As a trainer, it is all too easy to sit on information when it comes to your horses. They have so many minor worries, niggles and setbacks - most of which turn out to be nothing of long-term importance - that you could be constantly updating on each of your string, to the press and the public, on a hourly, daily and weekly basis. But our policy at Ditcheat is always to be up front and honest about the well-being of our horses - such as the coughing scare last week - and especially so when it is a public, and once-in-a-lifetime horse, such as Kauto. In my opinion, the public have a right to know. In many ways, he is as much theirs, as Clive Smith's and ours. So I am sad to report that his participation at the Cheltenham Festival is in doubt. Kauto took a tumble when Ruby schooled him at the end of last week. I say tumble, but in truth it was a pretty awful fall. Clive was obviously consulted at all times and we immediately got Kauto checked over. Even though he trotted sound, it was plain to see that he was sore afterwards. He has had the best veterinary and physiotherapy care possible but we hoped that he would be showing more improvement by now. I spoke to Clifford after returning to the stables after a Cheltenham media day yesterday, and he said Kauto still wasn't fully recovered, remained quite stiff, and in his wise words he felt he was "only 50-50" to make the Festival at this stage. So I immediately spoke to Clive and we felt that it prudent that we put out this update today. Next week is crucial for the horse. He is still cantering each day but I can assure you right now that Kauto Star won't be going anywhere near Cheltenham unless we are all convinced - Clive Smith, myself, Clifford and the team here - that he is 110 per cent right. Even if there is the slightest doubt in our minds, then he stays at home. No question. We will do what is best for the horse. Always have, always will. End of story. But, along with Desert Orchid, I suppose if ever a horse has captured the public's love and imagination it is Kauto Star. We saw that when he won the Betfair Chase at Haydock. It even had this old cynic bursting with pride for the horse, fighting back the tears on my proudest and most emotional day as a trainer. So, of course, it will be devastating for all concerned if Kauto Star wasn't able up to line up on March 16 and try to win a third Gold Cup. Because he has been in the form of his life this season. But one thing I think we have all learned with Kauto is never to write him off. Yes, having this setback so close to the Festival is clearly a major concern, but don't confuse Kauto's kind and inquisitive nature with softness. He is a hard so-and-so too - you learn to be when your best mate is Denman - and it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if he was back firing on all cylinders at home before Cheltenham, and went on to beat Long Run for a third time this season. But at this stage his participation does hang in the balance. I know a lot of the press read this column, so I would just like to take this opportunity to say that this will be my only public comment on this subject today and I have nothing more to add at this stage. But I will give daily updates on the horse from tomorrow onwards.
Hope the horse is ok, that is the main thing. Very rare that you hear of crashing falls whilst schooling
Shocking news and can't believe it, crossing everything that King Kauto can somehow make a miracle recovery and get back on track otherwise it will put a dampen on the whole festival for me as i love that old boy. Out of interest if i have a ante post accumalator with 6 horses including Kauto and Kauto doesn't run do i lose my money or does it go down to a 5 -fold?
This will take the gloss of the festival for Me if Kauto wasn't to turn up, I have been eagerly awaiting his return in the Gold Cup since Boxing Day and it would be a devastating blow for all concerned and the his adoring public if one last hurrah wasn't possible. His welfare is first and foremost and He is in the best hands for that as we have seen with Denman not so long ago...
Real shame for the horse. His well being is paramount. In terms of the race itself, one of the reasons that Kauto Star had a chance this year is because he appeared to be jumping better than he ever had. Taking a length off Long Run each time. So even if the old boy does make it, it may be a significant turning point. Hope for everyone concerned, especially the horse, that he is sound as soon as possible
I will be amazed if he runs now, What he's done this season as been a tall order. But a fall this bad a couple of weeks before Cheltenham is sickening... A younger horse would struggle nevermind a 12 year old
"Ruby was here on Friday morning to school... He schooled Kauto Star ....and I was delighted with them all." PN on Sat in his BF column.
I think it says alot about his yard that his price on Betfair or anywhere else stayed fixed even after this schooling error, Look at the difference between Ditcheat and Seven Barrows. If a horse doesn't school or work tell well at Nicky's its price is drifting like a barge within minutes on Betfair... Why would Paul Nicholls release a statement straight after this schooling incident? He was probably giving the horse every chance to recover and he probably expected/hoped he'd respond to treatment but as he clearly isn't as expected its time to warn the public. Its not also about a betting prospective here, This horse is cherished and adored the same way Dessie was, He's very much the publics horse. I do think is chances of running in the Gold Cup are more 80-20. He's no chance and its the worse news possible...
Gutted, I hope he is fine and the fall hasn't taken anything out of him. I hope he turns up on Gold Cup day, even if its only to parade. It would be great to see him at the racecourse before he does finally retire.
Why would he say he was delighted with them all when clearly he wasn't??? He shouldn't have bothered mentioning the session at all
Part of Me wishes trainers weren't allowed to say anything at all then there couldn't be any dispute about comments. Remember Kauto wasn't the only one schooling that day. And like I've said he was probably giving the horse chance to recover, Why worry the racing public if there was no need to at the time? His job is the horse's welfare not antepost punters... You'll struggle to find any trainer who is 110% honest about there horses
The clue was in the word 'all'! He was 'delighted with them all' He should never have mentioned the session, should have just gave his updates on his weekend runners and left it at that. Tbh I gave up reading anything he wrote a long time ago, was constantly putting the punters away in his column in the RP. Most transparent trainer me hole
