Paul Nicholls Exclusive: Reports of Kauto's demise are exaggerated

Ante-Post Plans / Paul Nicholls / 16 January 2011 / 9

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Kauto takes a Kempton fence alongside King George winner Long Run

"I can reveal that when he got back last night and stuck his head in the water bucket, Kauto bled from both nostrils."

Paul sets the record straight following Kauto's King George defeat and targets a return to winning ways in the big one at Cheltenham.

I have just tweeted that Kauto Star "did have a small bleed after the race and will go straight for the Gold Cup now" - but I will expand on that here.

Firstly, I would like to thank all the people who came along to Kempton to cheer on Kauto Star yesterday. And all those who expressed their good wishes before and after the race.

It is an honour to be associated with the horse.

But I can tell you now that reports of his demise are somewhat exaggerated, and there is no talk of retirement here.

I have just spoken to Clive. We agreed that yesterday now gives us a bit of challenge with the horse - and hopefully we, and most importantly, the horse will rise to it.

He will be prepared for a tilt at a third Gold Cup victory in March - different ground, different track, different day - and we would like to aim him for a third victory at Down Royal in the autumn, too.

As long as he is enjoying his racing and running well, then he will continue - he is 11, not 13.

Yesterday, was undoubtedly a big disappointment. He was never travelling or jumping with any real fluency, but it wasn't as if he ran a poor race. Without his blunder at the second last, he probably would have been a fair second to a very good horse.

But that clearly wasn't his best form.

I am not making excuses but I can reveal that when he got back last night and stuck his head in the water bucket, he bled from both nostrils. He has never done it before, and will probably never do it again.

It wasn't a big bleed but it indicates that he probably bled during the race (possibly after his mistake at the second last, which meant he had to dig deep to get home), which would not have aided his cause.

But the horse was fine going into the race. You may have read this morning that he wasn't buzzing in his box yesterday. But he is like a seasoned human athlete these days. Experience of big races breeds a certain calmness, and I think he was A1 going into the race, so there are no excuses on that score.

So it is up to me and my team here at Ditcheat to get him right for Cheltenham; and we will relish the challenge.

We fancied The Nightingale to run well but he may have found 3m too far.

I can reveal exclusively here that he finished distressed and we have discovered that he has a fibrillating heart, similar to the problem that Denman suffered from.

More about him in Friday's column.

Click here to view the latest Cheltenham Gold Cup prices

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Anonymous | 16 January 2011

i suppose the nightingale will undergo the same course of medication that Denman had, and will come back to be fine?
Anonymous | 16 January 2011

only 4 wineers in january i think nichols horses are not firing
Jan Evans | 16 January 2011

Your honesty is much appreciatedand I wish Kauto and The Nightingale well. Afer 30 years we gave up horses but columns like yours are our way of keeping in touch -thank you
Ed | 16 January 2011

Thank you for the updates on all your runners. Particularly the videos of Kauto working with Harry, and then having a canter with the Nightingale. That kind of thing is rare to see but extremely intersting to long time fans of the game.

Hard to believe Kauto schooled so well - he looked full of it - and then ran quite a bit below form. But it just didn't happen on the day. With this coming to light, and an otherwise fit horse a good performance in the Gold Cup is definetly still a possibility.
DBP | 17 January 2011

Personally I believe this has been a bit of a wake up call and your team will now work just that little harder to get him 110% for March so I am filling my boots at the current price on offer
MCranst | 17 January 2011

Would have loved to see Kauto make history but wasn't to be this year.

I'm not convinced he truly acts on soft ground (sure he has won it but think wss because of his class), and he will likely have firmer at Cheltenham.

Age may be catching up with him, but I'll either take my chances at 12s or 8s with a run for the gold cup.

Can't imagine how Long Run is half the Kauto price after his last two runs around Cheltenham?!
Jamie Sheen | 17 January 2011

Hi Paul...

I am looking forward to seeing Master Minded run this weekend...
He is our favorite horse, (maybe Denman after he brought us to tears in the 2009 Henessey!)...
But who rides him?
This is my opinion, and opinion only...
Your horses are skillful, and need a master tactition on them, I am not slating AP, cause he is amazing... But he doesn't fit your horses...
Noel is brilliant, and obviously Ruby is too, but my favorite jockey is Baz (Geraghty)...
Paul, make use of him, and ask him to ride Master Minded at the weekend, he is the BEST in the business!! (Only slightly, but still he is, and if you don't make use of him, Henderson always has one up on ya)
Best Regards,
Jamie (a massive fan of yours)
Anonymous | 17 January 2011

I think Kauto has come in for some harsh criticism, fairenough he never travelled and jumped as he usually does, but he recorded the same time as last year when he won and the ground this year was arguably more testing. I think Long Run ran an absolute blinder.

I was at Kempton and Kauto did not appear his usual self in the paddock, a bit on edge i would say and apparently not spring like in his box on the morning of the race. Little things i know but often tell tell signs that all is not as it needs to be.

I wouldn't be surprised if he produced another great display in march, especially with Ruby back on board, but we will see.
Susan | 18 January 2011

Hi,

I would just like to say how disappointed I am that lots of people always want to criticise AP when he a loses a high profile race on one of Paul Nicholls' horses. Obviously he wants to be able to ride the best horses but he also shoulders all the pressure this entails without falling to pieces when it doesn't always work out. I thought Kauto ran a very creditable race - he beat Nacarat by a similar distance to last years race - and he has been in very good form this year - I was at Wetherby when he won the Charlie Hall and he galloped the whole way flat out. I felt that Kauto was staying in the race rather than racing over the last quarter of the race - maybe the softer ground made it harder for him to find another gear. Don't forget Nicky Henderson's horses are in cracking form and Long Run has been highly regarded.

Roll on Cheltenham we'll see if different conditions change the placings.