Another "Kauto" Star?

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OddDog

OddDog

Mild mannered janitor
Staff member
Jun 2, 2011
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Berlin, Germany
Amid all the jazz of the Breeders Cup yesterday, Paul Nicholls unleashed Kauto Star's half brother Kauto Stone (by With The Flow out of Kauto Star's dam Kauto Relka) in the 2m4f Grade 2 Ladbrokes.com Chase at Down Royal. After winning 6 of 17 races in France (including a Grade 2 hurdle and a Grade 1 chase) this was the French import's first attempt at UK fences and, due to the unfortunate travel delay of Noel Fehily, the horse was ridden by Paul Carberry. A video of the race can be seen here:

http://www.attheraces.com/VideoConsole/?va=DRO_2011_11_05_05_1450

What struck me during the race was the quick, slick jumping of Kauto Stone, taking a couple of lengths out of the field at several fences. Coming down the hill he had his opponents Roi Du Mee (rated 141), Blazing Tempo (152) and Saludos (140) hard at work and, despite a hairy jump at the last (again reminiscent of his half-brother!) he sauntered away under a motionless Carberry to win hard held 6 lengths.

Ironically the horse gave Paul Nicholls his 2000th winner as a trainer - very well done sir <applause>

The victory prompted Victor Chandler to introduce him into their Ryanair market at 12/1 but Paul Nicholls made no mention of potential targets.

Personally I would love to see him have a crack at the Tingle Creek as he looks to have a very high cruising speed and is a very fluent jumper. Being only 5 he will clearly get further with age but for now I think he could be a live outsider for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Thoughts?
 
Haven't seen the race yet but I'm looking forward to going into work on Monday as I know the lady who sold Kauto Stone on to his new owners! I don't know how much they got for him, but suffice to say she and get husband bought a buy to let investment property with their half of the proceedings!
 
Looked pretty impressive. Looked to have at least a stone in hand. What would that make him rated?
 
He was rated 155 before yesterday. I would think that he wouldn't change a great deal given his main opponent at the weights, Blazing Tempo, disappointed.

It will be interesting to see where they go. Considering Nicholls has targeted the race with some smart types in the past it seems safe to assume that he holds this one in similarly high regard.
 
Nicholls has just ruled out the Paddy Power. Hardly surprising really given their proximity. Apparently he needs to discuss with the owner and make a plan but no firm ideas as yet.
 
Hard to weigh up the form as Zen alludes to above. I think the second though Roi de Mee is a horse going places and he was simply in another parish to Kauto Stone (not literally but the winning margin could have been much bigger one feels). The slight concern I have is that he may not be as effective on better / spring ground. He cruised at a real good speed on heavy ground yesterday over 2.5 miles so I'd think he'd definitely want the same ground to do that in a Tingle Creek against better opponents. Great start to his career but as many questions as answers yet. We know he's good, just not how good he is.
 
I saw his maiden run and looked a very good prospect and have always backed him since then, I shall carry on backing him- he will be nearly if not as good as his brother!
 
Were any of he other winners at DR decent? Looking at the comparative times for the day KS 's time was very fast and that despite the fact that he cruised round and won very easily.
 
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