Paul Nicholls has labelled Kauto Star “lethal” as Clive Smith’s 10-year-old bids to cement his place among the National Hunt legends in Friday’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Kauto Star Gold Cup Favourite
Only Golden Miller, Cottage Rake, Mill House and Best Mate have ever won the blue riband event three times, and all did it in consecutive seasons.
Kauto Star has already created his own unique piece of history by becoming the first horse to reclaim the prize 12 months ago, and another win for Ruby Walsh’s mount would add yet more lustre to his legacy. Having been kept fresh since winning a fourth King George VI Chase in spectacular fashion, champion trainer Nicholls is feeling bullish again.
“It is impossible to say he is better than ever as it was such a wonderful performance at Kempton,” said Nicholls.
“He worked with Master Minded last weekend and there are very few who can do what he did with a champion chaser.
“When he is fit he is lethal and there is nothing I can say to put anyone off him.”
According to the bookmakers, Kauto Star has most to fear from stablemate and 2008 winner Denman, who finished second 12 months ago after an interrupted preparation.
Yet again Denman’s last appearance before Cheltenham did not go to plan as he left his new jockey, Tony McCoy, on the floor in the Aon Chase which was won by another stablemate, Tricky Trickster.
McCoy is back in the saddle and the racing world is itching to see the two best horses and the two best jockeys competing in the highlight of the season.
“Denman did a very good piece of work with Tricky Trickster at the weekend. The more you do and the more you drill him the better he gets,” added Nicholls.
“You have to remember that before he ran in the Aon he gave 22lb to What A Friend and he went on to win the Lexus.
“He did have a little setback, but he is over that and do not write him off.
“The danger with Denman is that you go off too quick on him and get to the bottom of him too soon.
“He loves a battle and if he had got into a scrap with Niche Market at Newbury he would have loved it.”
One of the few viable alternatives to the big two is last year’s Ryanair winner, Imperial Commander.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ nine-year-old only went down by a nose to Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November, and returns to a course where he has won four times over fences after disappointing in Kempton’s King George VI Chase.
“He’s in really good nick and I’m very happy with him. He got within a whisker of beating Kauto Star at Haydock. I couldn’t be happier and I’m really looking forward to it,” the Naunton handler said.
“He certainly will have improved from Haydock. That was his first run of the season and he’s a big burly horse. He’s an awful lot fitter now and he’s really lean and mean and keen.
“The trip is not a problem, he stays forever.
“We’ll be riding our own race but we certainly will be up there with them. Three out at Haydock he had Kauto Star beat but he made a mistake there that turned the whole thing into a battle.
“He has a high cruising speed and can quicken off that. I don’t think we’re worried about tactics at all.
“He’s won four out of five over fences at Cheltenham. He was very wrong the only time he was beaten there. He damaged a hock and didn’t run for nearly a year.
“Otherwise without that he’d have been unbeaten there.”
Willie Mullins is pinning his hopes on Cooldine improving as much as he did last year.
His novice campaign was highlighted with an authoritative victory in the RSA Chase and he ran a sound trial in the Irish Hennessy on his latest start.
“He seems in good form on the gallops here during the week,” said Mullins.
“Last year he improved hand over fist from race to race and I’m sure he’s improved again since Leopardstown.
“I hope we can get into the money and it is all to play for after that. The race looks like a head-to-head and my fellow needs a good bit of improvement to get between the two of them but that is what we are here to find out.
“He will handle the ground and the trip will bring out his stamina.
“He put in a fantastic round of jumping last year and if he can do the same again this time it will put him right in the race.
