Really like this Thinking back to recent greats, Nicholls ran Kauto Star (at least in his younger days - was rightly more cautious in his later days) in all the top races and that is why he won so much popular affection. Same with Denman - he'd won a Hennessy, Lexus, Aon Chase and Gold Cup then had his heart problems. Came back slowly at Kempton, then a 2nd to Kauto in the Gold Cup and fell at Aintree in the Bowl. Next season, Nicholls pitches him into the Hennessy first time out off a mark of 174 and he goes and puts in one of the most memorable performances in jumps race history - right up there with Arkle, Desert Orchid et al. Mullins would have had him in a Graduation Chase at Kempton. The sad demise of Vautour and Many Clouds this season reminds us time and again that these top class horses were meant to race and the bravery of connections with Coneygree and Thistlecrack in recent seasons is to be applauded. Altior really ought to be going Champion Chase this year. He REALLY should. Douvan is the only horse to beat in that race and coming 2nd to him as a novice would be a far greater achievement than winning the Arkle 20 lengths.
