Kauto Star back in ascendancy following pleasing return to Racing

Any Kauto Star detractors were soon put in their places after the multi grade one winner, comfortably  regained the JNWine.com Champions Chase at Down Royal on November 6^th; a race he last won in 2008.

Making his first appearance since his horrific fall when attempting to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup for a third time in March, Kauto Star could not have been more impressive. He jumped at his best, took up the running when the timing was right and finished in style to win by four lengths from 2010 Arkle Trophy Chase winner, Sizing Europe, with China Rock a neck further back in third place.

The performance was testimony to the training skills of Paul Nicholls and his team at Ditcheat, who have worked wonders on the four times King George Chase winner after his death defying fall, four fences out at Cheltenham. He won this race at Down Royal in a style reminiscent of an imperious Arkle, covering every move made by the rest of the field, until jockey, Ruby Walsh decided it was time to take up the initiative.  Once in front he was never headed and won with plenty in hand, suggesting that he will improve considerably next time out.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Sizing Europe was happy with the performance of his 8 year old, particularly as he proved that he can stay a 3 mile trip and perhaps longer. He clearly needed the run last time when only a seven length second behind China Rock in the Grade 3 Star ‘Best For Racing Coverage’ Chase over 2 miles 7 furlongs at Punchestown two weeks previously. He avenged that defeat of course at Down Royal and according to De Bromhead he will improve again, before possibly taking Kauto Star on again in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.

The first target for Kauto Star of course this season is to win what would be a record breaking fifth King George, thus eclipsing the great Desert Orchid, who won it four times and was second once in a five year period. However, he is down to run in the Grade 1, Betfair Chase at Haydock on the 20^th November, a race he won in 2009, defeating 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Imperial Commander by a nose in an epic race. That said Nicholls might decide to miss the ‘Betfair’ this year in favour of heading straight to Kempton to take on Imperial Commander there, he had his latest rival a distance behind him last year and there is no reason why a similar outcome would not ensue this time around. He also features in the betting for the Hennessy but it’s difficult to imagine both him an Denman heading to Newbury and the next time we see Kauto I think will be when looking to justify favouritism once again in the King George odds.

Sadly for all connected with Kauto Star, they will not have the mercurial, Ruby Walsh on board at Kempton and possibly not even at Cheltenham after he broke his right leg in two places following a later fall at Down Royal on Saturday. Early reports indicate that Walsh will be out of action until at least the early part of next year, which has led to Bookmakers opening a market for which jockey will take the ride on Kauto;  Tony McCoy has been made the favourite to be that man at overwhelming odds of 1/4 with Jonjo O’Neil and JP McManus, for whom he is a retainer, unlikely to stand in his way of a tilt at being the man to guide Kauto home in the King George and Cheltenham Gold Cup.