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13 Apr 11
15:52
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05 Jan 10
KAUTO STAR and Nacarat are on course for an exciting clash in the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown on May 4 after connections confirmed the Grade 1 3m contest is firmly in their plans.
Paul Nicholls, trainer of Kauto Star, said on Wednesday: "He will definitely go. He was entered this morning and the plan is to go as I think the race will suit him and he seems well in himself at present."
Kauto Star, third to Long Run in the King George VI Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup on his latest two outings, has never run at Punchestown but has won on both his previous visits to Ireland for the Champion Chase at Down Royal.
Nacarat, who recorded his first Grade 1 triumph in the Totesport Bowl at Aintree last week, is likely to be among the opposition in a bid for another top-level success.
The ten-year-old made virtually all under Paddy Brennan on ground described as good to soft at Aintree and trainer Tom George is hoping for similar conditions at Punchestown.
"We are considering the Guinness Gold Cup for him," George said on Wednesday.
"It's a Grade 1 race with prize-money to match and it could be that he is onestep better going right-handed on better ground. We always thought he was best going right-handed and Paddy has mentioned that in the past."
Nacarat, who runs in the colours of Simon Clarke, produced a classy performance to beat Carole's Legacy by six lengths, while Kauto Star's stablemate Denman was 25 lengths back in fifth.
"The better ground brings out the best in him," George added. "He loves jumping off it and he is much happier. He has come out of Aintree unbelievably well.
"There is no point waiting until next December to find that we have heavy ground when this could be a chance on good ground.
"As it is, we have a month to see how he is and that is about the length of time he likes between his races. I know him well and he is a horse that I can get fresh quite quickly and easily athome. He is not a horse that takes a lot of work, so we can keep him happy."
Entries closed for the Guinness Gold Cup on Wednesday and will be revealed on Thursda
Paul Nicholls, trainer of Kauto Star, said on Wednesday: "He will definitely go. He was entered this morning and the plan is to go as I think the race will suit him and he seems well in himself at present."
Kauto Star, third to Long Run in the King George VI Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup on his latest two outings, has never run at Punchestown but has won on both his previous visits to Ireland for the Champion Chase at Down Royal.
Nacarat, who recorded his first Grade 1 triumph in the Totesport Bowl at Aintree last week, is likely to be among the opposition in a bid for another top-level success.
The ten-year-old made virtually all under Paddy Brennan on ground described as good to soft at Aintree and trainer Tom George is hoping for similar conditions at Punchestown.
"We are considering the Guinness Gold Cup for him," George said on Wednesday.
"It's a Grade 1 race with prize-money to match and it could be that he is onestep better going right-handed on better ground. We always thought he was best going right-handed and Paddy has mentioned that in the past."
Nacarat, who runs in the colours of Simon Clarke, produced a classy performance to beat Carole's Legacy by six lengths, while Kauto Star's stablemate Denman was 25 lengths back in fifth.
"The better ground brings out the best in him," George added. "He loves jumping off it and he is much happier. He has come out of Aintree unbelievably well.
"There is no point waiting until next December to find that we have heavy ground when this could be a chance on good ground.
"As it is, we have a month to see how he is and that is about the length of time he likes between his races. I know him well and he is a horse that I can get fresh quite quickly and easily athome. He is not a horse that takes a lot of work, so we can keep him happy."
Entries closed for the Guinness Gold Cup on Wednesday and will be revealed on Thursda
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