Magnificent Kauto
Kauto Star
The National Hunt season is really getting into its stride now and the highlight so far has to be the magnificent Kauto Star’s triumph in the Betfair Chase at Haydock. As the tapes went up the over-riding thoughts were for his welfare and imminent retirement; indeed Nicholls’ final words to jockey Ruby Walsh were ‘if its not happening, pull him up’ but such worries were fully extinguished 6 minutes later as Kauto rolled back the years to produce a sheer brilliant display of galloping and jumping to win in record time.
From shortly after the halfway stage when ‘Kauto’ produced the latest of several superb leaps, his opposition were one by one being taken out of their comfort zone by the deceptively relentless gallop being set and the years were being rolled back before our very eyes.
So now it would seem that connections are considering letting him take his chance to try to win a record fifth King George Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. Intriguingly he could line up alongside Master Minded (also owned by Clive Smith) as a two-pronged attack on wrestling back the crown from Long Run, who will surely strip fitter and be a tougher nut to crack at Kempton.
Newbury
A week later the spotlight was on Newbury and the latest running of the Hennessy. The feature race produced a gutsy front-running display from the admirably tough Carruthers. Nobody can deny the eight year old deserved his day in the sun having run some very honourable races in defeat in recent seasons. He is now being aimed at the Coral Welsh National on 27th December.
Earlier action from Newbury’s Winter Festival saw Grands Crus make it two from two over the larger obstacles as he fended off the sustained challenge of chase debutant Sonofvic. Whilst there is no doubting his talent this performance brought about a suspicion that he may be vulnerable to stronger stayers if lining up in his reputed target, the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in March, and to my mind he would be a better bet if lining up in the Arkle Chase over the shorter trip of two miles.
Novices
This season’s novice chase division has the makings of being the most exciting for years and the opening day saw a thrilling duel when last season’s outstanding staying novice hurdler Bobs Worth made a winning start to his chase career. He looked booked for second as Cue Card travelled better throughout, using his chasing experience, but Nicky Henderson’s gelding is a tough customer; he overcame several mistakes and found plenty on the run to the line to get the better of a tight finish. With improvement virtually guaranteed he looks a massive player for the big races later in the season.
Conclusion
But the week belonged to Kauto Star and I will always remember Saturday 19th November at Haydock Park for being one of those very rare occasions when it paid to let your heart rule your head, and it will live long in the memory.
Each week I will sign off with a Punting High and a Punting Low.
Punting High – Spotting the in-form Suzy Smith’s Emmaslegend was on a decent mark and going in strong before watching her scoot clear from 3 out at Ascot.
Punting Low – Steaming in to Wayward Prince in the Hennessy and watching in dismay as he put in a very lacklustre display before being pulled up. Keep the faith!
