Kauto will win Gold Cup - Thornton

/ Editor / 20 February 2007 / Leave a Comment

Jockey Robert Thornton believes Kauto Star will win the Gold Cup and that too much has been made about his jumping ability.

Paul Nicholls' stable star has eased slightly in the market following his win at Newbury on Saturday where he survived a last fence blunder, but Thornton believes it is fuss about nothing.

"Too much is being made about Kauto Star's jumping and I think he will win the Cheltenham Gold Cup," Thornton told the Gloucestershire Echo.

"A lot has been said and written about him over the past week following his last fence mistake with Ruby Walsh when he won at Newbury on Saturday.

"Because it followed on from a similar incident in the King George, and he's fallen before at Cheltenham, critics have suggested that his jumping will let him down next month.

"I don't think it's as big a deal as some people are making out, though, and he's still definitely the one everyone's got to beat in the Gold Cup."

War Of Attrition (6.6) and Exotic Dancer (9.2) are the only other horses in single figures for success in the big race on March 16 for which Kauto Star leads the way on 2.92.

The Listener (12.5), In Compliance (14.5) and State Of Play (17) are next best in the market, which recently topped the £1 million traded figure.