Kauto just doesn't like Cheltenham, he has won the Gold Cup twice in spite of the course not because of the course! I'd bring him back for one last King George with everyone knowing that it will be his last hurrah
If it wasn't for the fact that I really think that next seasons King George will be won by one of the likes of Grands Crus, Al Ferof, Invictus, Sir Des Champs etc, I'd be all for one last crack at the King George (obviously only assuming that Kauto is still fit and well for it). I don't think it's fair to say that the horse obviously doesn't enjoy his racing any more, and those that would know best are surely Ruby, PN and Clive Smith - I'm happy to leave it in their hands. As for the decline of Paul Nicholls - I don't think this is going to be the case. We may be seeing the ascent of Nicky Henderson, but Nichols will be a really strong competitive challenger for the Trainers title for seasons to come yet. I think the likes of Al Ferof, Zarkandar, Pearl Swan, Dodging Bullets, Sanctuaire, Ranjaan, Rock on Ruby, Kauto Stone etc can continue to fly the flag in the future. Whether or not that generation is up to matching the generation of Sprinter Sacre, Spirit Son, Simonsig, Bobs Worth, Riverside Theatre and Burton Port I'm not sure, but I think it'll be close. I also think it won't be a walkover for NH this year - assuming neither of them take the massive National pot, then I can see things being reasonably shared out at Aintree. The only thing that might swing it is that at Punchestowns Nicholls never seems to send many over, and Henderson has such a big team at the moment that he might have to to avoid clashes at Aintree (for example if Spirit Son and Grandouet get fit, and he has Oscar Whisky and Binocular as well all available for mid to short distance hurdles).
I keep saying it but anyone discounting Captain Chris from future staying chases may be foolish, the horse clearly has muscle problems which is impacting his jumping action but if they can resolve that he is all class and I can see a King George victory before a Gold Cup tilt. Cityhull may be right, perhpas Kauto doesn't like Cheltenham, I remember one of the greatest of all time Dessie hating the place, his Festival form reads 0 P 3 3 2 1 3 3. Haters will say he was only 1 from 8, lovers will say that he bravely won a Gold Cup and was placed 5 times at a track he simply detested....
