By Barry McEneaney
Kauto Star’s place in the pantheon of National Hunt legends was assured quite some time ago.
His incredible longevity is just one of the qualities that will ensure a huge crowd turns up for the Gold Cup (3:20) at Prestbury Park this afternoon in search of a fairytale ending to the Festival, and perhaps even Kauto Star’s career.
Defending champion Long Run wasn’t even so much as a glint in his old man’s (that would be Cadoudal) eye when Kauto Star was recording a first win in his native France in 2003.
The dual Gold Cup winner’s achievements over the last decade are well documented, and his handler deserves massive credit for campaigning such a special horse so aggressively.
He appeared to be heading towards an inevitable downward spiral last season, culminating in a career nadir at Punchestown, but this year he’s somehow managed not just to stop time, but to roll back the years.
What he’s achieved the season, despite his advancing years, is scarcely believable. But the greats in any sport somehow find a way to transcend all our preconceived ideas - it’s just one of the things that makes them great.
His latest outing saw him claim a famous fifth win in the King George at Kempton, and he arrives here with decent prospects of claiming a third Gold Cup.
Long Run seems to have regressed a little this season, but the return to Cheltenham and a step up in trip could see him bounce back to his best.
His season has been geared towards peaking this afternoon, and it’s reasonable to expect considerable progress from what we’ve seen earlier in his campaign.
Verdict
It’s impossible to be dogmatic regarding Kauto Star’s prospects this afternoon.
That spill in his recent schooling, his advancing years, and the fact that he’s always looked a little more at home at Kempton make me think he won’t be winning.
The presence of habitual frontrunner Midnight Chase and a number of others that like to race prominently should ensure a really strong pace, which would likely inconvenience the old stager.
He may well end up running unplaced. This is one instance where if I’m wrong, I’ll be absolutely delighted.
Long Run’s regression could well be reversed here. Even a display a little inferior to the one he delivered late year should be enough to see him home.
However, he could well face a huge challenge from stablemate Burton Port.
He ran a race full of promise to finish second to Long Run in the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury following a lengthy injury-enforced absence.
Barry Geraghty’s mount refused to settle in the early stages, but still managed to finish just half a length behind the race-fit Long Run.
He was in receipt of a ten-pound weight allowance which he won’t benefit from today, but major improvement can be expected from that reappearance.
His lack of size is his one major negative, and that could certainly hinder his chances.
However, his formidable jockey will be all too aware of his mount’s deficiencies in this area, and held up off a strong pace, he could well give the defending champ something to think about. He looks the best each-way option in the race.
Quel Esprit, China Rock, or a massive outsider such as The Midnight Club - who has always run well around here - are amongst those that could be in line for a shock place.
1 Long Run
2 Burton Port
3 The Midnight Club
Ruby Walsh’s decision to partner Paul Nicholls’ Pearl Swan, in the Triumph Hurdle (1:30) could prove hugely significant.
Having not only partnered Pearl Swan and stablemate Dodging Bullets, but also the Willie Mullins duo of Ut De Sivola and Darroun, he had a strong hand to pick from.
Granted, he did make the wrong call in last year’s renewal, eschewing Zarkandar in favour of Sam Winner, but it should be remembered that he hadn’t ridden the former in his sole UK start.
Pearl Swan certainly looks the most logical pick, having accounted for Grumeti - who received three pounds - last time out on only his second start over hurdles. Grumeti was ultimately promoted to first place after his rival was adjudged to have caused interference, but both set a pretty decent standard for this contest in that race.
Grumeti has upped his game since then, scoring at Kempton last month, but the selection may be open to a little more improvement in a typically trappy affair.
Dodging Bullets, who finished second to Grumeti on his only start over obstacles at Kempton, pulled Daryl Jacob’s arms out for the first half mile. If he can race with a little more restraint, expect him to go close at a big price.
Selection: Pearl Swan
Alternative: Grumeti
Boston Bob merits his place as a short-priced favourite for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, having been beaten in only one of his six lifetime starts (five under Rules) and achieved a high level of form.
However, his odds at the time of writing imply he has about a 40% chance of scoring here.
I’ve little doubt that he’s the best horse in the race, but trainer Willie Mullins’ week has been something of a mixed bag.
Mullins has never won this race, and has seen just one of his nine runners make the frame, but Boston Bob does look a superior animal to the previous horses that have represented the yard in this contest and should go very close.
The miserly each-way terms on offer from bookmakers - ¼ the odds 1,2 3, in a 20-runner field - means that those swerving the favourite for a less obvious sort will probably find better value on the exchanges.
Brindisi Breeze, Sea Of Thunder and Rocky Creek are three of those that could trouble the judge should the favourite underperform.
Selection: Boston Bob
Alternative: Rocky Creek
