One from today, Synchronised, surely that run today suggests that he will will one of the 'Nationals' again this season?
Nearly lost My voice roaring Kauto home in the bookies, Never seen a reception like it. Jumped like a stag and won. What a ride from Ruby, Made my day seeing Kauto win. I hope Shergar hasn't lost too much today..
No-one enjoyed seeing Kauto win more than me but I've had a feeling for a while that today was Kauto's last chance to show he's still in love with the game, another lacklustre performance or poor errors and I genuinely think Clive Smith would have retired him, whereas I think the others in the race had eyes firmly fixed on later season targets. This is not to take anything away from Kauto, I just don't see him winning another King George let alone another Gold Cup, but we should celebrate a horse who wins 15 Grade 1 races because you may never see that repeated in your lifetime....
Grizzly I think everyone enjoyed seeing Kauto win today, It was the old warrior story giving it his one last hurrah but on that performance today he surely as to go for the King George?
I think he'll go for it Istabraq, I just don't think he has enough to win the race. I can see Long Run, Captain Chris, Sommersby and Master Minded all finishing ahead of him at Kempton - I'd love to be wrong though....
grizzly the only horse in the field that i would be sure about having eyes on later season targets is Long Run. I dont see how you can honestly say that Diamond Harry, Weird Al or Time for Rupert had there eyes on races futher on in the season. Diamond Harry is always best first time up and the others were race fit.
Yeah I think Long Run will be back to winning ways again soon, But he doesnt like being under pressure and with the likes of Master Minded and Captain Chris all looming in the wings it could take a big effort from the Gold Cup winner to regain it this year...
KAUTO STAR What a performance from a legendary horse. He is a living legend and has done so much for this great sport. I was sorely tempted to go to Haydock today, but in the end decided against it. I genuinely thought he had a chance, but forced myself to ignore him: I felt I already had enough emotional attachment to the horse! What a poor decision that was. I would have loved to have been there to welcome home the finest steeplechaser for many a year. The atmosphere must have been fantastic. Stunned and delighted all at the same time but gutted that I wasn't there. What a day and what a memory for those who were. One of the very greatest moments in national hunt racing.
I'm still utterly speechless. Let's enjoy the moment for now- we all know the King George is a different proiposition but it doesn't matter. Kauto still ran an amazing race today against some tremendous young legs. What a display of jumping from the old warrior.
Just reading on Twitter that he has broken the course record . . . Not sure whether it's true or not but he had them at it right from the off. None of the others could live with his cruising speed and jumping today. Absolutely terrific performance.
Zen - great summary, it was close to Dessies Gold Cup. Hardy - I always felt Diamond Harry woudl be better on softer ground, Weird Al is very fragile and I think all roads loead to the Gold Cup for this one and doubt connections will worry too much about what happens in November, I could be way off the mark there but he's an extremely talented horse and probably better round Cheltenham, and as for Time for Rupert I backed him today and was disappointed, he could be another horse who is better suited by Cheltenham. I think the race meant way more to Kauto's connections than any of his rivals, as proved by the celebrations. Don't get me wrong I'd love to see him win anotehr King George and seriously hope I get to eat my words, but I just don't see him winning the race....
