Hurricane Fly Picks Up Where He Left Off In Leopardstown Seasonal Debut

January 30, 2012 Leave a comment

Following his hugely emphatic win on his much delayed seasonal reappearance in the Grade 1 Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday, Hurricane Fly has been shortened to around the 4/5 odds on mark to retain his Champion Hurdle title at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The Willie Mullins eight year old looked as impressive as ever defeating his four rivals with consummate ease and chalking up a seventh success win in the process.

Mullins had earlier in the season expressed concerns with the ‘champion’s’ progress at home which prompted him to withdraw him from his two intended earlier season starts. However, whatever was troubling him then certainly isn’t now and he looks a sure fire banker for the Festival. Should he win at the Festival he will emulate the back to back wins of Hardy Eustace in 2004 & 2005 and will have a chance next season to equal the three straight wins of the great Istabraq from 1998-2000.

Bookmakers have reported some support for the likes of the Nicky Henderson pair, Grandouet and 2010 Champion Hurdle winner, Binocular as well as Paul Nicholls, 2011 Triumph Hurdle winner, Zarkandar. However, they are well behind the favourite in the market and based on Hurricane Fly’s latest run they will be well behind him too at Cheltenham.

Zarkandar, the half brother of course to the great ‘Arc de Triomphe’ winner, Zarkava, has yet to be seen this season, but he is the lime up for his reappearance at Newbury in a fortnight’s time in the Grade 3 Betfair Hurdle over two miles. The five year old in fact is the 8/1 favourite to win at Newbury but he will need to run well and get close to a mark of 151 if he is to have any chance against Hurricane Fly at Cheltenham for which he is also an 8/1 chance.

Unaccompanied, who was second behind Zarkandar in the 2011 ‘Triumph’ has progressed nicely so far this season. The Dermot Weld five year old won a Listed event back in November over two miles and followed that up with a decent win in the Grade 1 Istabraq Hurdle on 29th December. In that race he had the Willie Mullins trained second string for the Champion Hurdle, Thousand Stars nearly two lengths behind, although he was in receipt of 10lbs. Unaccompanied can be backed at anything between 16-25/1 for the Champion Hurdle.

Binocular of course having missed the Cheltenham Festival last year has been struggling of late but returned to winning ways with a workmanlike performance to win a second successive Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park last month. In that race he proved just too strong for the improving Paul Nicholls trained Rock On Ruby, although he too would appear to have the Champion Hurdle as his Cheltenham target.

Grandouet, who is the 11/2 second favourite for the Champion Hurdle, bounced back from his fall at Wincanton in November to win the first Betfair Hurdle at Haydock, defeating Marsh Warbler by eight lengths in the process. He then followed that up by taking the Grade 2 International Hurdle at Cheltenham, this time by four lengths from the very ebullient Overturn from the Donald McCain stable.

Filed under Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham Festival Races, Cheltenham Festival Trials, Latest Racing News, Leopardstown, Ruby Walsh, Willie Mullins Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Pearl Swan & Grumeti Confirm Triumph Hurdle Credentials After Event Cheltenham Battle

January 30, 2012 Leave a comment

In terms of tactics Ruby Walsh rode a master class of a ride on Pearl Swan in the Triumph Hurdle Trail at Cheltenham on Saturday which sadly for him, was marred by the horse hanging to the right and bumping into the leader Grumeti coming up the hill. Although Walsh still managed to get his horse in front at the line by a short head he was later demoted into second place after the Stewards Enquiry confirmed the contact affected the result.

Nonetheless it was a very revealing trial for the Triumph Hurdle itself in March, for which neither of them have been made the favourite. Indeed the Bookmakers found it difficult to split them in the market quoting the pair at around the 8/1, with Sadler’s Risk from the Phillip Hobbs stable holding sway at the top of the Triumph Hurdle market with odds of 7/1.

Walsh held the Pearl Swan up at the rear of the field until unleashing a furious attack two from home managing to pick off the leader Grumeti on the line, crossing a short head in front. It was not a great way to lose a race of course, and it also led to a 3 day ban for Walsh, but despite his hanging, the manner in which he completed the last half mile of the race was extremely impressive. Moreover, trainer Paul Nicholls believes he will improve hugely for the run and believes he is a very real contender to win the ‘Triumph’.

Grumeti had gone off in the Trial as the 7/4 joint favourite and while he justified the betting, Baby Mix, who he had shared favouritism ran poorly, finishing last of the six runners. Baby Mix had previously ran over course and distance back in December and won in cracking style by 7 lengths and had many pundits believing that he was the Triumph Hurdle winner designate. However, Tom George’s charge failed to maintain the pace and faded rapidly from two out and finished like a horse way out of his depth. Notwithstanding, the plan is still to run him in the ‘Triumph’ at Cheltenham for which he now has odds of 20/1.

Sadler’s Risk rose to prominence with an outstanding performance in a competitive Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton Park a fortnight ago winning as he pleased by 17 lengths. He will of course need to confirm his potential by stepping up to graded company but on the evidence of his Kempton Park run, then he should be able to take that step comfortably.

Surprisingly bookmakers are reporting plenty of support for the Dessie Hughes trained Minsk, who has yet to race over hurdles, but who has been a good winner on the flat taking the honours by over five lengths in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh back in October. Hughes intends to debut him over hurdles in the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown in 12th February, a race won in 2011 by the Dermot Weld trained, Unaccompanied, who went on to finish second in the Triumph Hurdle behind Zarkandar. Currently Minsk is a 10/1 shot to win the 2012 Triumph Hurdle.

Filed under Cheltenham Festival Races, Latest Racing News, Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, Phillip Hobbs, Ruby Walsh, Trainer, Triumph Hurdle Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Argento Chase Can Provide Useful Gold Cup Pointers

January 25, 2012 Leave a comment

It looks like it will be a cracking renewal of the Grade 2 Argento Chase at Cheltenham this coming Saturday with the David Pipe Cheltenham Gold Cup hope, Grands Crus, heading the betting market at odds of 2/1.

The race formerly known as the Cotswold Chase is run over an extended 3m1f on the New Course and has had a host of decent past winners, including the late Exotic Dancer in 2007, See More Business in 2001 and 1998, and One Man in 1997. It is a well known trial for the Gold Cup and there will be a number, in addition to Grands Crus, in the race this year that harbour Gold Cup hopes.

However, it is Grands Crus who has continued to look like a top class horse of the future certainly looks the one to beat and although a novice his jumping prowess already looks superior to most of these rivals on Saturday. He has been out three times already this season, winning them all, including a very impressive 2¼ length victory in the Grade 2 Feltham Chase over 3 miles at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. In that race he had the highly regarded Bobs Worth from the Nicky Henderson stable over 5 lengths in arrears in third place, which prompted trainer David Pipe to suggest that he may now take his chance in the Gold Cup against Long Run and Kauto Star. Interestingly, he is already the favourite to win the 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

To win on Saturday he will have to overcome some very useful opposition, which includes 2010 Hennessy Gold Cup winner, Diamond Harry. The 9 year old has had only one run since that victory which came in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November where he finished fourth behind Kauto Star and Long Run. There is no doubt that he needed the run that day but he should be a much stronger candidate in this which explains why his trainer, Nick Williams is very keen on his chances and also why the Bookmakers have him disputing second favouritism with odds of 11/2.

Also at 11/2 is Paul Webbers Time For Rupert last seen also being beaten by Kauto Star and Long Run but this time in the King George Vl Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. He was no match for the big guns at Kempton, but Webber has been finding it hard to hide his confidence in him currently. He claims that ‘Rupert’ has been working better than ever at home and is now ready, having learned some valuable lessons to live up to the hype he received after his second place behind Big Bucks in the 2010 World Hurdle.

Captain Chris from the Phillip Hobbs stable is also currently at 11/2 and he is another who needs to confirm the potential he showed when winning the Arkle Challenge Trophy at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival. He followed that win up of course with a great win in the Ryanair Chase over two miles at the Punchestown Festival to end what was a fantastic season for him. However this season he has done nothing but disappoint, unseating on his reappearance at Exeter in the Grade 3 Haldon Gold Cup, won by Medermit and then he finished third but over 18 lengths behind Kauto Star when trying three miles for the first time in the ‘King George’. It is clear that Hobbs will use Saturday’s race as a yardstick as to which of the Cheltenham races he will target. Currently the 8 year old has entries in both the Ryanair over 2m5f and the Gold Cup.

Now trained by Champion Trainer, Paul Nicholls, Tidal Bay will be running for the second time this season after being given a spin in a three mile hurdle race earlier this month in which he finished a creditable third. It was his first run since his doomed Grand National attempt last season, but it is worthwhile noting that he finished second in this race last season and possibly would have won had he made his challenge earlier. It will be very interesting to see how he performs for his new handler in the Argento.

Filed under Argento Chase, Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Trials, David Pipe, Latest Racing News, Paul Nicholls, Phillip Hobbs, Racecourse Tagged with , , , ,

Sizing Europe and Big Zeb Bid To Join Elite Champion Chase Club

January 19, 2012 Leave a comment

When last year’s winner Sizing Europe lines up for this season’s Queen Mother Champion Chase, trainer, Henry De Bromhead and connections will be will hoping that he can join a highly illustrious group of just ten horses that have won this very prestigious race twice. That same wish of course will also be made by trainer Colm Murphy and the connections of Big Zeb who won the race back in 2010.

The two head the antepost market for the race that decides who will be the season’s champion two mile chaser; but even the best of racing tipsters would not necessarily be able to split them at this stage in the build up.

Both have been out this season, with Sizing Europe having his first spin in the Grade 2 PricewaterhouseCoopers Champion Chase over 2½ miles at Gowran Park back in October. He won that race by just under two lengths from Coolcashin but he had to be grateful to the final fence fall of subsequent Grade 1 John Durkan Chase winner, Rubi Light. The 10 year old followed that up with a second place behind Quito De La Roque in the Grade One, JN Wine Chase at Down Royal, but that was over three miles which is not his favoured distance. However he made amends for that defeat when returning to the two mile trip in the Grade One Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park which he won in great style by 8 lengths. The win encouraged the Bookmakers to clip his odds into 9/4 favouritism to retain his crown.

Big Zeb meanwhile has been seen out twice this season, winning firstly the Grade 2 Fortria Chase over 2 miles at Navan, beating last season’s Arkle Trophy Chase winner, Noble Prince by a couple of lengths. That win was followed up by victory in the Grade One Paddy Power Dial A Bet Chase over 2m1f at Leopardstown towards the end of December, where once again the now 11 year old proved too good for Noble Prince, winning this time by 1¼ lengths.

These two wins by Big Zeb if nothing else has showed that he retains the zest that was very apparent in his final race last season when he made some amends for his Cheltenham reverse by defeating Sizing Europe in Boylesports.com Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival. A race considered by the sport as the Irish National Hunt’s equivalent of the ‘Queen Mother Chase’. He is considered a best price of 9/2 to regain his champion chaser crown.

In the past it has proven much easier to win the race back to back rather than miss out a year, a feat which has been achieved by only Royal Relief in 1972 & 1974 and the great Moscow Flyer who won in 2003 and 2005. The other eight dual winners all did so in consecutive years, the most recent being Master Minded, winner in 2008 & 2009. This might count against Big Zeb of course who also could be making his attempt without his first choice jockey, Barry Geraghty on board. Geraghty has not ridden him this season so far due to his commitments as retained jockey to Nicky Henderson who at present is undecided whether or not his Finians Rainbow runs in the ‘Queen Mother’. Effectively if Finians Rainbow runs, then it will be Geraghty on board, if not the ride will once again go to substitute jockey, Robbie Power.

Should 6/1 shot Finians Rainbow run then he would have to be considered a decent enough threat to the big two, particularly as he appears to have progressed significantly this season. However he did finish second at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival behind Noble Prince, who, as pointed out above, is held by Big Zeb, a fact which would mean that Finians Rainbow would have to improve even more to become the champion chaser this season.

Others which might yet influence the market once final declarations are made could be the Paul Nicholls pair of Al Ferof, winner of two chases over two miles this season and Kauto Stone, although the latter is likely to go for the Ryanair Chase.

Filed under Cheltenham Festival Races, Latest Racing News, Queen Mother Champion Chase Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Join Together Could Be The Darkhorse In RSA Chase

January 17, 2012 Leave a comment

The RSA Chase is widely recognised as one of the major races at the annual Cheltenham Festival and is a leading Novice chase at the meeting aimed at producing the best staying novice chaser in the country.

It is run over a slightly extended three miles and for reasons that are not always obvious the race has produced a fair amount of shocks, with favourites, at least until recently not really justifying themselves.

Possibly and even more significantly perhaps is that only very few winners have gone on to bigger and better things which in some ways downgrades the overall value of the race although this could be a tad unfair. However, it is interesting to note that not one of the last three winners, Bostons Angel in 2011, Weapons Amnesty in 2010 and Cooldine in 2009 have won a race since. Indeed, Bostons Angel has failed miserably in two starts this season, Weapons Amnesty has not run since his win and Cooldine simply never progressed.

That said, it is not all doom and gloom, the 2008 winner, Albertas Run for instance has come back to the Cheltenham Festival to win the Ryanair Chase over 2m5f in both 2010 and 2011, while Denman who won the RSA in 2007 became the first horse to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup the following season since Looks Like Trouble 2000. In fact only seven past RSA Chase winners have ever gone on to win National Hunts most prestigious prize which considering the aim of the race is a very surprising fact.

The antepost market for the 2012 renewal has the David Pipe trained Grands Crus as a relatively short priced favourite with odds around the 7/2 mark. However, it is known that the owners, Roger Stanley and Yvonne Reynolds are in favour of taking their chances with him in the Gold Cup instead and Pipe does not disagree with them. Should that be the case then the race will become a very open affair, with the Nicky Henderson good thing, Bobs Worth the likely favourite.

Bobs Worth of course was no match for Grands Crus when the two met in the Grade 1 Feltham Novice Chase on Boxing Day, but proved a very tenacious sort when holding off the challenge of Cue Card in Grade 2 London Pride Novices Chase at Newbury over 2m4f at the end of November. He has already proven his staying credentials by winning the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle over three miles at the 2011 Festival and providing Grands Crus does defect to the Gold Cup then Bobs Worth with odds currently of 5/1 certainly looks the one to beat.

Irish challengers have usually performed well in the RSA Chase, with fifteen past winners, including the last three mentioned above and they have a very lively raider this year in the form of Last Instalment. Trained by Phillip Fenton, this 7 year old has progressed beautifully this season winning all of his three starts over fences. These included a terrific performance when defeating First Lieutenant by six lengths in the Grade 1 Fort Leney Novice Chase over three miles at Leopardstown at the end of last year, a win which marked him down as a big player this year. He is currently around the 8/1 mark.

Paul Nicholls who has saddled two winners of the RSA Chase and has an interesting entry this time in the form of Join Together, who is a very clear staying type who has won his last two starts over fences. Certainly his 12 length success in the Rymans Stationer Novice Chase in December had Nicholls purring and which forced bookmakers to shorten to around the 10/1 mark to win the race. He could be the one to monitor as the race draws ever closer.

Filed under Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Races, Latest Racing News, Paul Nicholls, Royal & Sun Alliance Chase Tagged with , , , , , ,

Fingal Bay Looks The One To Beat In Early Neptune Picture

January 11, 2012 Leave a comment

The Grade 1 Neptune Investment Management Novice Hurdle at this year’s Cheltenham Festival looks set to be one of the more competitive races of the meeting.

Raced over 2m5f on the Old Course, the antepost betting currently has the Phillip Hobbs trained, Fingal Bay installed as the 5/1 antepost favourite, with a host of others queuing up behind him. Hobbs has good reason to be sweet on the chances of Fingal Bay who is unbeaten after five starts, which includes a bumper, three Grade 2 races and most recently the Grade 1 Challows Novice Hurdle over 2m5f at Newbury. He would appear to go on all ground and the 2m5f would seem his ideal trip.

In the Challows Novices Hurdle he had to battle quite hard on the run in with the Tim Vaughan trained 25/1 outsider, Ballyrock, but he never really looked like losing and proved that in the heat of battle he can rise to the occasion. Ballyrock in fact has been quoted at 20/1 to win the race which might be a price that would attract each way backers!

Next best in the betting, with odds of 12/1 is the Willie Mullins trained Make Your Mark also unbeaten after three starts, but has so far only had one spin over hurdles. That came at the end of last year in the Madigans Maiden Hurdle over 2½ miles at Leopardstown, which he won in hugely impressive style by ten lengths. He clearly took to jumping extremely well and although the ‘Neptunes’ will be a big step up in class there is little doubt that he has the ability to race at the top level. Mullins of course knows what it takes to win this race having saddled the winners in both 2008 with Fiveforthree and 2009 with Mikael d’Haguenet.

Mullins in fact also intends to saddle Boston Bob, the winner of the recent Grade 1 Navan Novices Hurdle on soft ground over 2½ miles at Navan. In that race he gave a 4½ length beating to previous Grade 2 Hurdle winner, Mount Benbulben, trained by Gordon Elliott, who had gone off as the 5/6 odds on favourite. The win earned Boston Bob a quote of 14/1 to win the ‘Neptunes’.

Also at 14/1 is the Nicky Henderson trained, Simonsig but he would have to find almost three lengths and possibly better ground than good to soft if he is to reverse the form with Fingal Bay, who beat him in the Grade 2 Neptune Investment Novices Hurdle Trial at Sandown at the beginning of December. Henderson however does believe that he will come on for the run and he is likely to have one more run before Cheltenham.

Monksland trained by Noel Meade also jumped into contention the other day when he won the Grade 2 Slaney Novice Hurdle over 2½ miles on soft to heavy ground at Naas the other day. He had won his maiden back in December and looks a very lively prospect although he might not get the soft ground which he would prefer at Cheltenham. Nonetheless the Bookmakers have deemed it prudent to include him in their markets with odds of around the 16/1 mark.

Filed under Cheltenham Festival Races, Cheltenham Festival Trials, Latest Racing News, Neptune Novices Hurdle, Phillip Hobbs, Willie Mullins Tagged with , , , , , , ,

2012 Supreme Novices Hurdle Offers Little Antepost Value

January 11, 2012 Leave a comment

Despite just nine weeks to go before the Cheltenham Festival, there is still enough time for trainers to establish the credentials of the intended runners. That said, one race that is becoming increasingly difficult to fathom is the ‘curtain raiser’, the Supreme Novices Hurdle.

The current 10/1 favourite is the Jessica Harrington trained, Irish raider, Steps To Freedom, whose win in the Grade 2 Sharp Novice Hurdle back in November marked him down as possibly the one to beat. However, the second horse in that race, Prospect Wells, who finished just a ½ length home ‘blotted his copy book’ last weekend when he trailed in a well beaten 4th in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle over 2m1f at Sandown. He finished 20 lengths adrift of the winner, Captain Conan, who was making his UK debut after joining the Nicky Henderson earlier this year and was also the same distance behind the Phillip Hobbs trained Colour Squadron who finished a short head down in second place.

On that form, both Captain Conan and Colour Squadron, who should both improve hugely for the run, should have the beating of Steps To Freedom. However, the bookmakers were clearly unimpressed by the outcome of the Tolworth and have installed Captain Conan and Colour Squadron only as 16/1 shots for the Supreme.

Second favourite in fact for the Festival’s opening race is the Dermot Weld trained and JP McManus owned Waaheb with odds of 12/1, but he has yet to be tested over hurdles having had his career to date confined to Bumpers given he has not run this season. He has won three of four Bumpers but until he is seen over hurdles then surely it would be unwise to back him antepost but stable confidence does seem to be high and it will be worth watching him.

Nicky Henderson also has a second and third ‘strings to his bow’ in the form of Darlan, a five year old who is unbeaten in one start in a ‘bumper’ last season and three over novice hurdles this term including a win at Taunton on Monday, the Seven Barrows yard also have the option to run Simonsig, second in a Grade 2 over 2m4f at Sandown Park last month. Darlan is also owned by JP McManus and this son of Milan looks to have plenty of potential but has yet to run in a graded race. He is a 12/1 chance for the race, the same price as Simonsig, who ran a great race when second behind Neptune Investment Management Hurdle favourite, Fingal Bay in that Sandown Grade 2.

Perhaps one horse to take serious note of is the Edward O’Grady trained, Cash And Go, winner last time out of the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle over 2 miles at Leopardstown over the Christmas period. That win followed two earlier wins this season in a 4YO Hurdle in November and a maiden Hurdle in October. He too is 16/1.

Galileo’s Choice, also a 16/1 shot and also trained by Dermot Weld was an eye-catching second behind the Willie Mullins trained Sous Les Cieux in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice hurdle at Fairyhouse at the beginning of December. However, before that he had won in a Group 3 on the flat over ten furlongs at Leopardstown. Sous Les Cieux however was unable frank that form or to further his ‘Supreme Hurdle’ prospects by finishing only third behind Cash And Go in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle. Nonetheless Galileo’s Choice is sure to improve and is one horse at least that is worth following as a potential Supreme Novice Hurdler as the build up Cheltenham gets underway in earnest.

As it stands, the 2012 Supreme Novices Hurdle doesn’t appear to offer a great deal of antepost opportunity and it’s probably best to wait until nearer the Festival starting or the day itself before deciding who to back.

Filed under Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Races, Cheltenham Festival Trials, Dermont Weld, Latest Racing News, Nicky Henderson, Supreme Novices Hurdle Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Punters Should Be Wary About Backing Hurricane Fly For Champion Hurdle

January 9, 2012 Leave a comment

It is difficult to know what to make of the comments regarding Hurricane Fly from the Willie Mullins stable. The Irish Champion trainer clearly has major concerns over his 2011 Champion Hurdler who also scooped up Ireland’s National Hunt Horse of the Year award in December.

In November, Mullins made it known to the media that his stable star had not been pleasing him at home, which is why, conscious of the antepost betting, he was withdrawn from his intended seasonal reappearance in the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.

The plan after the ‘Morgiana’ was for Mullins was to run him next in the Grade 1 Hattons Grace Hurdle in December but the view was taken that the 8 year old would not have been ready for that engagement either. He was therefore promptly withdrawn which meant that Mullins had to put together a Plan B, which would have started with Hurricane Fly taking his place in the Grade 1 Istabraq Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown on 28th December. This was a race which the nine times Grade 1 winner had won 12 months earlier but so scant was the information emanating from the Mullins yard regarding the well-being of Hurricane Fly that the betting for the race was suspended as punters were flocking to back stablemate, Thousand Stars.

In the event and much to the chagrin of the bookmakers, Mullins withdrew his charge from the race, on the 27th, stating he had no interest in the points of view of the Bookmakers and further claiming that he would only run the horse when he was good and ready.

Mullins also said that Hurricane Fly had worked out with stablemate Thousand Stars at the Curragh during Christmas week and although he worked hard enough it was not at a sufficiently high standard to provide Mullins with the confidence to run him in the ‘Istabraq’.

The plan now as it stands is for Hurricane Fly to defend his Irish Champion Hurdle crown at Leopardstown at the end of January but with so much doubt surrounding his fitness it has become a huge worry for those who have backed him to win that race as well as back to back Champion Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival.

Mullins who is a man who will not be pressurised by anyone has constantly re-iterated that Hurricane Fly will not run unless he can do himself justice in Grade 1 company. To that end he has also said that it is not beyond the realms of possibility that he could go straight to Cheltenham without a run elsewhere all season.

This potential outcome has forced the bookmakers to stretch his odds of winning the Champion Hurdle to 11/4 and whilst he remains the favourite, punters are beginning to look for alternatives.

Filed under Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham Festival Races, Latest Racing News Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Kauto Star Still Has A Long Run to the Gold Cup

January 3, 2012 Leave a comment

Only Silver Flame in 1951 and What A Myth in 1969 have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup as 12 year olds, but the outstanding Kauto Star looks well on course to join them in 2012. The Paul Nicholls trained two times Gold Cup winner put in an unforgettable run to land a record breaking fifth King George Vl Chase on Boxing Day and now heads to Cheltenham in March looking to sign off what will more than likely be his final run in style.

Kauto Star confirmed that his victory over reigning Gold Cup champion, Long Run in the Grade One Betfair Chase in November was not a one off as he beat him for a second time this season. It is true that this latest run was a lot closer and it could be argued that Long Run was getting to him on the run in but the manner in which Kauto Star won the race suggested very strongly that he was back to his most imperious form. He was also ridden superbly by Ruby Walsh who clearly gets a different tune out of him when compared to others who have been in his saddle.

The Bookmakers still have Long Run as the 5/2 favourite in the Gold Cup betting, with Kauto Star rated a general 4/1 chance with Boylesports a stand out 9/2. However, it has to be thought that such will be the popularity of Kauto Star come March 16th that he could well start favourite on the day.

With the great Denman now out of the picture, Long Run is now the nearest thing Kauto Star has to a rival and racing fans can expect a media frenzy as the ‘race of the champions’ draws near.

Kauto of course first won the ‘Gold Cup’ back in 2007 and became the first horse to regain the trophy when winning again two years later. He was second in the intervening year to stablemate, Denman, he fell after running badly in 2010 and could no better than third last season when Long Run became the first horse since Mill House in 1963 to win the race as a 6 year old.

The scene is set therefore to one of those races that have fans frothing at the mouth’s and quivering at the knees all knowing that racing a racing feat that could never be equalled, should ‘Kauto’ get home first and the much younger pretender put in his place.

They are clearly the two major protagonists, but others who have earned the right to be mentioned as potential dangers are newly crowned Lexus Chase champion, Synchronised and possibly the David Pipe potential superstar, Grands Crus, brilliant winner of the Grade 1 Feltham Novice Chase also at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Synchronised certainly confirmed himself as a Gold Cup prospect after justifying the connections decision to forego the opportunity to defend his Welsh National crown by going over to Ireland. His win against a number of the best Irish Gold Cup candidates was emphatic, defeating John Durkan winner, Rubi light and JN Wine Champion, Quito De La Roque by over 8 lengths in the 3 mile Lexus Chase on 28th December.

Grands Crus although still in his novice season, has now become a live ‘Gold Cup’ after his superb ‘Feltham’ victory, where he had the well backed, Silviniaco Conti comfortably held with the highly regarded Bobs Worth back in third. The win maintained Grands Crus unbeaten record over fences leaving trainer, David Pipe only to mull over whether or not he goes for the Gold Cup or the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Filed under Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Races, Gold Cup, Kempton, Latest Racing News, Leopardstown, Ruby Walsh Tagged with , , , , , , , , ,

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