Cheltenham Festival
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after racing at wincanton ..........forgot about it and missed it ......thanks
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Was on Racing UK freeview. Nothing spectacular as far as the gallop goes, but connections all smiles afterwards and he looked full of beans in the paddock - reckon something else would need to go amiss between now and next Friday for him to miss the race now
I should just qualify that although nothing spectacular, it wasn't supposed to be
Didn't see it but read the reports and they suggested that Kauto was never really asked to get out of first gear. Neither was Mon Parrain who was running with him.
Exactly. Routine gallop, never asked a question and he was entirely comfortable throughout and looked extremely well. Other than the fact he still has four legs I'm not sure you could deduce anything from it without having the knowledge of where he was say, a week ago. Connections seemed happy enough.
They went very steadily for a lap around Winccanton. I was there and have to say he looked really well in himself and I think it will have done him the world of good to have a good blow out. He will certainly run imo but like others said you couldn't learn anything from it other than he's alive and well.
Kauto Star virtually confirmed himself a starter in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup after delighting connections in a gallop after racing at Wincanton.
The 12-year-old was described as "50-50" for the Festival showpiece last week after it emerged he had suffered a schooling fall at Paul Nicholls' Ditcheat yard.
Kauto Star has since made massive strides in his race to be fit for the blue riband event next Friday, and Nicholls was keen to see how he fared in a racecourse spin with stablemate Mon Parrain.
Regular rider Ruby Walsh was on hand to put Kauto Star through his paces over two miles while Daryl Jacob teamed up with Mon Parrain, who is rated 150 himself.
The pair went just a steady pace early on, with Walsh easing to the front after half a mile and Mon Parrain settled a couple of lengths behind on his heels.
Mon Parrain came back up to join him turning for home and the pace upped a gentle notch down the straight, with the pair racing upsides each other.
Neither horse was asked any real questions and Kauto Star, who looked fresh and very well in himself beforehand, passed the post around a head in front.
Nicholls said: "I'm very, very pleased and Ruby said that he could hardly hold him.
"I didn't want him to do too much but they quickened up a bit.
"If he's all right tomorrow and schools on Monday, then I'd say we're in business.
"I can't tell you the difference between looking at him now and last Friday.
"It's a phenomenal difference and it's a huge relief because everyone can see if he's in good or bad shape and he looked in really good order.
"He looks like he did before Haydock (Betfair Chase win) and the King George and he's full of enthusiasm.
"We've still got another week now. I would say we are almost certain to be there.
"Last weekend we were very touch and go. Sunday I was thinking we were in trouble and thought the easiest thing would be not to run him, but the improvement has been unbelievable.
"It shows that it was a little knock and a bit of bruising. Everybody's worked really hard.
"He's responded to treatment, he's come right and he's got a lot of enthusiasm which helps you.
"That was a big test for him today and I'm absolutely thrilled with the way he went. I don't think anybody could have a negative about that.
"He will jump two brush hurdles and a couple of bursh fences on Monday morning and Ruby will come over to do it."
Owner Clive Smith was on hand to watch the gallop, and was equally upbeat about the dual Gold Cup runner's performance.
He said: "Ruby said he was very pleased and he did every bit as well as he expected.
"They went a little bit faster in the last half a mile and I thought he looked good.
"It's all systems go."
Walsh said: "He's moving well and he was in good spirits. The Gold Cup's next Friday so you can't do a whole pile, but he seems in good health.
"He did enough, he didn't do too much. He's in good form, but whether he will win or not, I don't know. He's ready for it.
"He's in good heart at the minute and seems sharp."
Coral make Kauto Star their 7-2 second-favourite for the race, with last year's winner Long Run the 7-4 market leader to repeat his 2011 performance.
"Connections seemed delighted with how the racecourse gallop went, and although no decision has yet been made on his participation in the Gold Cup, there must be a good chance that a fifth clash with Long Run will now take place," spokesman David Stevens.
"With the score at two wins apiece, the decider would certainly capture punters' imagination next Friday.
"Kauto Star had looked back to his very best this season, and as a result we're happy to offer top price among the big firms about Long Run at this stage."
The 12-year-old was described as "50-50" for the Festival showpiece last week after it emerged he had suffered a schooling fall at Paul Nicholls' Ditcheat yard.
Kauto Star has since made massive strides in his race to be fit for the blue riband event next Friday, and Nicholls was keen to see how he fared in a racecourse spin with stablemate Mon Parrain.
Regular rider Ruby Walsh was on hand to put Kauto Star through his paces over two miles while Daryl Jacob teamed up with Mon Parrain, who is rated 150 himself.
The pair went just a steady pace early on, with Walsh easing to the front after half a mile and Mon Parrain settled a couple of lengths behind on his heels.
Mon Parrain came back up to join him turning for home and the pace upped a gentle notch down the straight, with the pair racing upsides each other.
Neither horse was asked any real questions and Kauto Star, who looked fresh and very well in himself beforehand, passed the post around a head in front.
Nicholls said: "I'm very, very pleased and Ruby said that he could hardly hold him.
"I didn't want him to do too much but they quickened up a bit.
"If he's all right tomorrow and schools on Monday, then I'd say we're in business.
"I can't tell you the difference between looking at him now and last Friday.
"It's a phenomenal difference and it's a huge relief because everyone can see if he's in good or bad shape and he looked in really good order.
"He looks like he did before Haydock (Betfair Chase win) and the King George and he's full of enthusiasm.
"We've still got another week now. I would say we are almost certain to be there.
"Last weekend we were very touch and go. Sunday I was thinking we were in trouble and thought the easiest thing would be not to run him, but the improvement has been unbelievable.
"It shows that it was a little knock and a bit of bruising. Everybody's worked really hard.
"He's responded to treatment, he's come right and he's got a lot of enthusiasm which helps you.
"That was a big test for him today and I'm absolutely thrilled with the way he went. I don't think anybody could have a negative about that.
"He will jump two brush hurdles and a couple of bursh fences on Monday morning and Ruby will come over to do it."
Owner Clive Smith was on hand to watch the gallop, and was equally upbeat about the dual Gold Cup runner's performance.
He said: "Ruby said he was very pleased and he did every bit as well as he expected.
"They went a little bit faster in the last half a mile and I thought he looked good.
"It's all systems go."
Walsh said: "He's moving well and he was in good spirits. The Gold Cup's next Friday so you can't do a whole pile, but he seems in good health.
"He did enough, he didn't do too much. He's in good form, but whether he will win or not, I don't know. He's ready for it.
"He's in good heart at the minute and seems sharp."
Coral make Kauto Star their 7-2 second-favourite for the race, with last year's winner Long Run the 7-4 market leader to repeat his 2011 performance.
"Connections seemed delighted with how the racecourse gallop went, and although no decision has yet been made on his participation in the Gold Cup, there must be a good chance that a fifth clash with Long Run will now take place," spokesman David Stevens.
"With the score at two wins apiece, the decider would certainly capture punters' imagination next Friday.
"Kauto Star had looked back to his very best this season, and as a result we're happy to offer top price among the big firms about Long Run at this stage."
We are no further wiser after watching an excercise canter witout being asked to stretch other than he still has 4 legs
However Kautos pre& post race demeanour told you far more than gallop ever would.
However Kautos pre& post race demeanour told you far more than gallop ever would.
They just shown Kauto's racecourse gallop on C4, about 20 minutes ago, so if you missed it you can watch it on C4+1 in 40 minutes time.
Like Materminded has said he looked really well in himself.
He certainly looked very keen and happy, and Paul Nicholls said he is 100% normal.
I was kind of hoping they would decide not to run him after having such a nasty fall so close to Chelts, and at his age.
But I'm a very happy bunny now that I've seen him,with my own eyes, looking like his old self.
I'm once again looking forward to seeing him in the Gold Cup
Like Materminded has said he looked really well in himself.
He certainly looked very keen and happy, and Paul Nicholls said he is 100% normal.
I was kind of hoping they would decide not to run him after having such a nasty fall so close to Chelts, and at his age.
But I'm a very happy bunny now that I've seen him,with my own eyes, looking like his old self.
I'm once again looking forward to seeing him in the Gold Cup
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