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Paul Nicholls: Magnificent Kauto fit and ready for Betfair Chase

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Though Paul considers Long Run to be the likeliest winner of Saturday's big race, his legendary chaser arrives at Haydock in fantastic shape and with the champion trainer optimistic of a very gutsy display...

Despite the fact that we never had the opportunity to buy him - that's a red card for Bromley - I have always been a huge fan of Long Run.

Obviously, I am not privy to how straight the horse is for his comeback in the Betfair Chase tomorrow. But if he is anywhere near peak fitness, then he will prove a formidable rival - and would probably win tomorrow's race eight times out of 10. He is a very, very good horse.

But on the two occasions that he didn't, I would hope that it would be Kauto Star in the winners' enclosure.

On the subject of Kauto Star, I have very little to add to what I said in my column here on Monday and to be honest the continued talk about the "R" word is a touch unnecessary as well as mildly irritating. Yes, he is a public horse and with that comes a degree of responsibility.

But he is working well, looks magnificent, is fitter than I have ever had him at this stage of the season - and I have a sneaking suspicion that he will run a blinder.

If he doesn't, he doesn't. But we will let him do his talking on the track at Haydock in a race that he has won three times before, and probably would have won four times had he not unseated Sam Thomas at the last in 2008.

We will then go from there.

I appreciate many eyes will be on Kauto here, but this race really is all about Long Run. I have followed his career closely, and he has always been an awesome horse from his early days in France.

And I really don't think he fully got the credit he deserved when he won the King George last season, as too many people focused on Kauto's performance, which I suppose was understandable given that he was going for his fifth win in the race.

After that, I thought Long Run would win the Gold Cup - and I am not aftertiming there, as I told everybody in the Betfair Marquee on the day of the race as much - and you have to say that he was very impressive in beating my three horses, winners of countless Grade 1 races, there.

And I wouldn't worry about his jumping either. These French horses often take a few liberties at their fences - everyone knows that Kauto has given us a few heartstopping moments along the way - but I think Long Run jumps brilliantly and I personally wouldn't be worried on that score. And he is just a 6yo.

Obviously, he will be at his most vulnerable first time up.

I saw some statistics from Betfair earlier in the week about the fact that only seven of the last 15 Gold Cup winners have won on their reappearance and only two showed improved form on their comebacks - as it happens, they were my See More Business and Kauto himself.

I never had Kauto fully tuned up first time though and common sense dictates that Long Run won't be cherry ripe here, either. But let's not forget Timeform have him 14lb clear of the opposition and that is some measure of the task we all face.

Levels of fitness permitting, I think he will be incredibly hard to beat and I would be surprised if he were beaten.

But if there is scope for a surprise, I think Kauto is best equipped to provide it, even though I have a lot of respect for the likes of Diamond Harry and Weird Al, making this the best Betfair Chase yet in my opinion.

He may not be the horse he was when officially rated 190 in his pomp, but Kauto Star could be likened to an ageing, superstar actor.

The delivery and presence may not be unremitting these days, but maybe the Oscar winner has one more big screen performance in him. An equine version of John Wayne in True Grit will do just nicely.

"A very competitive weekend of racing once again, so winners will be hard to come by.

"But I like the chances of Indian Daudaie and Minella Stars as well as Robinson Collonges each way."

You've read Paul's thoughts, now find out who Betfair's Multiples Banker is...

https://promotions.betfair.com/nicholls-banker-129/

Paul Nicholls / 18 Nov 2011

Paul Nicholls: Magnificent Kauto fit and ready for Betfair Chase

Latest News RSS / / 18 November 2011 / 1

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Kauto pictured at Exeter racecourse earlier this month

Kauto pictured at Exeter racecourse earlier this month

"Kauto Star is working well, looks magnificent, is fitter than I have ever had him at this stage of the season - and I have a sneaking suspicion that he will run a blinder."

Though Paul considers Long Run to be the likeliest winner of Saturday's big race, his legendary chaser arrives at Haydock in fantastic shape and with the champion trainer optimistic of a very gutsy display...

Despite the fact that we never had the opportunity to buy him - that's a red card for Bromley - I have always been a huge fan of Long Run.

Obviously, I am not privy to how straight the horse is for his comeback in the Betfair Chase tomorrow. But if he is anywhere near peak fitness, then he will prove a formidable rival - and would probably win tomorrow's race eight times out of 10. He is a very, very good horse.

But on the two occasions that he didn't, I would hope that it would be Kauto Star in the winners' enclosure.

On the subject of Kauto Star, I have very little to add to what I said in my column here on Monday and to be honest the continued talk about the "R" word is a touch unnecessary as well as mildly irritating. Yes, he is a public horse and with that comes a degree of responsibility.

But he is working well, looks magnificent, is fitter than I have ever had him at this stage of the season - and I have a sneaking suspicion that he will run a blinder.

If he doesn't, he doesn't. But we will let him do his talking on the track at Haydock in a race that he has won three times before, and probably would have won four times had he not unseated Sam Thomas at the last in 2008.

We will then go from there.

I appreciate many eyes will be on Kauto here, but this race really is all about Long Run. I have followed his career closely, and he has always been an awesome horse from his early days in France.

And I really don't think he fully got the credit he deserved when he won the King George last season, as too many people focused on Kauto's performance, which I suppose was understandable given that he was going for his fifth win in the race.

After that, I thought Long Run would win the Gold Cup - and I am not aftertiming there, as I told everybody in the Betfair Marquee on the day of the race as much - and you have to say that he was very impressive in beating my three horses, winners of countless Grade 1 races, there.

And I wouldn't worry about his jumping either. These French horses often take a few liberties at their fences - everyone knows that Kauto has given us a few heartstopping moments along the way - but I think Long Run jumps brilliantly and I personally wouldn't be worried on that score. And he is just a 6yo.

Obviously, he will be at his most vulnerable first time up.

I saw some statistics from Betfair earlier in the week about the fact that only seven of the last 15 Gold Cup winners have won on their reappearance and only two showed improved form on their comebacks - as it happens, they were my See More Business and Kauto himself.

I never had Kauto fully tuned up first time though and common sense dictates that Long Run won't be cherry ripe here, either. But let's not forget Timeform have him 14lb clear of the opposition and that is some measure of the task we all face.

Levels of fitness permitting, I think he will be incredibly hard to beat and I would be surprised if he were beaten.

But if there is scope for a surprise, I think Kauto is best equipped to provide it, even though I have a lot of respect for the likes of Diamond Harry and Weird Al, making this the best Betfair Chase yet in my opinion.

He may not be the horse he was when officially rated 190 in his pomp, but Kauto Star could be likened to an ageing, superstar actor.

The delivery and presence may not be unremitting these days, but maybe the Oscar winner has one more big screen performance in him. An equine version of John Wayne in True Grit will do just nicely.

"A very competitive weekend of racing once again, so winners will be hard to come by.

"But I like the chances of Indian Daudaie and Minella Stars as well as Robinson Collonges each way."

You've read Paul's thoughts, now find out who Betfair's Multiples Banker is...

https://promotions.betfair.com/nicholls-banker-129/

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  1. Luke | 18 November 2011

    Good Luck with all and especially Kauto and Master Minded who owe everyone nothing. There are class acts and pleasure to watch them.