gdsf but good in places as now appeared on the chase course and 6.8 going stick which as risen i think. mild and breezy forecast
Peter Scudamore's thoughts on Kauto. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ra...r-win-fifth-King-George--Peter-Scudamore.html
The ground should be pefect for tomorrow http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/...E=racing/11/12/25/RACING_Weather.html&BID=465 Only one more sleep to go lol.
I think that's pretty much the way it happened and I will be interested to see what rating they give KS for that performance. Long Run was fit and ready today yet Kauto Star did him for pace at the end of the back straight - Long RUn simply couldn't go with him and has lost a yard of pace from last season - he is looking more and more an out-and-out stayer. Kauto Star has run to 180+ today and that is an unbelieveable performance. To beat the reigning King George & Gold Cup winner 5 years his junior in that manner is the stuff of legends. The 3s on offer for Long Run to win the Gold Cup is a dream price, the extra 2F and uphill finish at Cheltenham will play to his strengths
Oddy - Ive got to hand it to you squire its a prediction that pretty much came out as you posted earlier... And i also agree that the short run in today helped Kauto more than the run in at Cheltenham where the extra 2f's and the fact its up hill will play a big part in the way we look at the race next March... Good write ups and a good prediction... 10/10 for your efforts here pal...
Well done Oddy. One of those rare moments when you rup up a betting ticket with a huge grin knowing you've witnessed something that is not only historic but something that can't and will never be repeated, something only top quality NH racing can create. Congratulations to all who backed Kauto, commiserations to those who like me believed Captain Chris was playing for 3 places.....
Despite being wrong again I have to give credit were credits due, that was a remarkable effort from Kauto Star. At that age, and after last season's below par efforts, you couldn't help but think he was in decline, but fair play to PN, what a fantastic training performance, and what a fantastic horse. Long Run again didn't jump well enough, as soon as Kauto Star turned the screw, he was getting in to tight at his fences, and losing valuable ground on KS. He still proved what an engine he had, but when KS is in that form, you can't give away ground at the fences. I have a theory on Long Run, I think the ground today was to lively, it's been a very warm winter, and I don't think on on good to soft over 3 miles Long Run has the pace to live with horses like KS, in last years KG, it was soft, and I think that made the race more testing and Long Runs stamina came into play. In the Gold Cup it was good ground, but its over an extra 2 and a half furlongs, on a much stiffer track, and if you remember the race, he looked in trouble when the pace quickened, but then stayed on past KS and Denman. Basically Long Run is a plodder, don't get me wrong he's a very good one, but I feel he will always struggle to live with the likes of KS on decent ground over 3 miles. The Gold Cup will be a completely different ball game, I still see Long Run as the most likely winner, and I expect he will win in a similar fashion to last season, he will get out paced, and then stay on past everything
I think to call Long Run a plodder is a bit harsh KS. He easily put the others to bed yesterday, but found one of the all time greats a hard nut to crack. Kauto was brilliant. Long Run lost nothing in running a gallant second to an amazing animal.
Cyc: Agree, Long Run is no plodder, good grief, no! Plodders rarely, if ever, win a Gold Cup, and then it would only be in bog-like conditions? It was a great race, all the runners can take credit. Have not yet checked, but I do hope Master Minded is OK. Just cannot understand why they ran him. I posted something recently on the dual Champion Chase winner of the '60s, Dunkirk, who died in this race taking-on the great Arkle. In some ways, déjà vu? I'm sorry, and many of you who will disagree, but this was a dumb (and greedy?) decision to run Master Minded in this race. As many forum members on here suggested beforehand, he had no place in this event. (The way I'm going, think it wise to take a break till Cheltenham, and re-charge batteries.........).
Nothing wrong with taking a small break when everything we touch turns to **** Swanny. No rule says that we have to line up every time the starter lets them go.
Although I disregard the better time for Grand Crus in the Feltham I wondered what views were held by contributors to a novice running in the Gold Cup; Gloria Victus? My thoughts are governed by the 'weakness' of opposition to Long Run and Kauto Star. Any thoughts/opinions.
Very interesting question Kenny, and I'm sure one which will divide opinion. One school of thought is that a novice should be kept to novice races as they are not yet ready for all age championship events. The other school of thought says that if they are good enough then they are old enough. With Grands Crus I would have to say I am in the latter camp. To date he has looked a consummate professional, takes everything is his stride and jumps with the efficiency of a seasoned steeplechaser. As a staying hurdler he ran in Championship races and so will be used to the hurly-burly. Whether he will have the raw ability this season to live with Kauto Star and Long Run is a different matter but I see no reason for connections to shy away from the race just because he is a novice. He will turn 7 next April and has had 13 career races so far, so it's not as though he's a complete novice. I'd have a tilt at the Gold Cup with him
As an aside I am a 'rabid' fan of FC Bayern and have been since I first became aware of a young Beckenbauer in 1965; now back to Grands Crus. I thought it would be interesting to check on Gloria Victis' record before the 1994 Gold Cup and the oppposition in that race: Ten races - five in France with no championship races - one Grade 1 in the UK (Feltham) then the Racing Post at Kempton which seemed to govern the 'go' for the Gold Cup. Interestingly there were only two previous attempts at three miles; both at Kempton. Opposition - Florida Pearl, See More Business, Looks Like Trouble and Dorans Pride - two GC winners, Stayers Hurde winner and multiple Grade 1 winner. My view is that Gloria Victis went into the 1994 Gold Cup with less experience at the distance and at the toip grade than would Grands Crus. I also think that the opposition was generally stronger notwithstanding Kauto Star. It may be that we have become so used to Best Mate and Kauto Star that we expect every GC winner to be at the top for 3/4 years. It may be that 1010/2011 was the year of Long Run and he may not return to those levels of achievement. I will probably be wrong with this conjecture but who knows? On consideration of Grands Crus' record against the exceptional Big Bucks and his 'disposal' of SC and Bobs Worth I think I will start on the NRNB 8/1 with Ladbrokes. Returning to my opening point roll on the end of January with the resumption of the Bundesliga!!
I think I referred to Long Run as a 'plodder' earlier in this thread Shergys! Anyway what a great race and a great result. I've not been around to follow Arkes career and only learned of him through footage and reading his history, the same for Dessie but what I can say is that without doubt Kauto Star is by far the greatest racehorse I've had the honour to watch and I don't expect to see a better one. I've had to produce a special signature in honour of the great horse
Oh my God, a "rabid" fan of FC Bayern München. Jeeeeez, spare me, as I live in the bloody place!.......... ..........
