Kauto Star returns to training with Paul Nicholls and could yet run again...
While the Flat racing world awaits a decision on where and when the world's best Flat horse, Frankel, will have his last run, the National Hunt world awaits a similar decision on its most popular chaser, Kauto Star.
As yet there is no indication whether he will run once, twice or whether he has actually run his last race. The popular 12-year-old jumper has returned to training with Paul Nicholls at the same time that his old stable companion, Denman, left to begin his post-racing life as a team chaser. Having been out in a field all summer it was back to the five-star treatment for Kauto Star; a new set of shoes, a wash and back on with a rug.
Much like his counterpart Sir Henry Cecil, Nicholls will wait intuitively for the horse to tell him what to do. "There is no plan as yet," he explained. "We're in almost the same position as we were this time last year although in a way we are in a much better situation this time because Kauto hasn't been in a bit of a dip for a year â he's come in as the highest- rated chaser in training. We'll start riding him, see how he is, but firstly make sure he's fine."
He added: "He and Denman have done really well out at grass despite the weather this summer but they were both starting to look like they wanted to come in. They like their creature comforts and don't like getting soaked the whole time."
One of the features of the last jump season was the two-time Gold Cup winner's return to form in the Betfair Chase at Haydock and the rousing reception when he landed a fifth King George VI Chase at Kempton, eclipsing Desert Orchid's race record.
A heavy fall schooling three weeks before Cheltenham put his participation in the Gold Cup in doubt and the build-up to the meeting centred on the daily bulletins from Ditcheat on his progress and whether he would make the race. He did run but, clearly still affected by his training fall, he was pulled up by Ruby Walsh before the 10th fence...
Just copied this from the Daily Telegraph...
Realistically Kauto Star should be retired as the anticipation of his last run at Cheltenham nearly did us all in with the lead up to the race.The fall became headline news and it all lead up to a fever come race day. To see Ruby pull him up was as much a god send as it was so sad to see... Kauto Star is fit and well, and long may that last...!!!
What do you think...?
While the Flat racing world awaits a decision on where and when the world's best Flat horse, Frankel, will have his last run, the National Hunt world awaits a similar decision on its most popular chaser, Kauto Star.
As yet there is no indication whether he will run once, twice or whether he has actually run his last race. The popular 12-year-old jumper has returned to training with Paul Nicholls at the same time that his old stable companion, Denman, left to begin his post-racing life as a team chaser. Having been out in a field all summer it was back to the five-star treatment for Kauto Star; a new set of shoes, a wash and back on with a rug.
Much like his counterpart Sir Henry Cecil, Nicholls will wait intuitively for the horse to tell him what to do. "There is no plan as yet," he explained. "We're in almost the same position as we were this time last year although in a way we are in a much better situation this time because Kauto hasn't been in a bit of a dip for a year â he's come in as the highest- rated chaser in training. We'll start riding him, see how he is, but firstly make sure he's fine."
He added: "He and Denman have done really well out at grass despite the weather this summer but they were both starting to look like they wanted to come in. They like their creature comforts and don't like getting soaked the whole time."
One of the features of the last jump season was the two-time Gold Cup winner's return to form in the Betfair Chase at Haydock and the rousing reception when he landed a fifth King George VI Chase at Kempton, eclipsing Desert Orchid's race record.
A heavy fall schooling three weeks before Cheltenham put his participation in the Gold Cup in doubt and the build-up to the meeting centred on the daily bulletins from Ditcheat on his progress and whether he would make the race. He did run but, clearly still affected by his training fall, he was pulled up by Ruby Walsh before the 10th fence...
Just copied this from the Daily Telegraph...
Realistically Kauto Star should be retired as the anticipation of his last run at Cheltenham nearly did us all in with the lead up to the race.The fall became headline news and it all lead up to a fever come race day. To see Ruby pull him up was as much a god send as it was so sad to see... Kauto Star is fit and well, and long may that last...!!!
What do you think...?
