EXCUSES ARE rare when it comes to the true sporting greats and they should certainly be surplus to requirements in today’s Cheltenham Gold Cup if Kauto Star hits overdrive.
A festival that has contained more than its fair share of supposed “good things” getting turned over makes it hard to be definitive but, wariness aside, it is difficult to escape the conclusion that only rain of biblical proportions can come to the rescue of those intent on selling this Gold Cup as an epic head-to-head between Kauto Star and Denman.
Even the latter’s flamboyant owner, the fearless punter Harry Findlay, admits he is considering backing Kauto Star if the price is suitable due to the prevailing quick ground conditions at Cheltenham.
Findlay has got to the point of owning a Gold Cup winner like Denman by judging his betting right more often than wrong and, while there is no doubt of his love for Denman, the analytical side of his brain probably can’t help coming to the same conclusion as the rest of us.
Denman was a top Gold Cup winner two years ago and a gallant runner-up to his next door neighbour at Paul Nicholls’s yard last season. But even his most ardent fans agree he needs a definite cut in the ground to be competitive against Kauto Star and while rain is forecast for Cheltenham today, it doesn’t look like coming in time.
That won’t please those whose task it has been to turn the race into a racing equivalent of Coe v Ovett or Federer v Nadal. On all known form, soft ground is required for the sole Irish hope Cooldine too while Imperial Commander’s fans are clinging to the memory of that Betfair Cup effort at Haydock in November for comfort. As for the others in the 11-strong field, it’s tempting even now to place them in the “also-ran” file.
All of which doesn’t dilute the anticipation of Gold Cup 2010 a whit. A single mistake by Kauto Star, say in the manner of Denman at Newbury last month, could yet bring the head-to-head stuff right back to the forefront. But even if that doesn’t happen, the prospect of a Kauto Star solo-show is still enough to quicken the pulse of any racing fan.
Just four horses – Golden Miller (1932-36), Cottage Rake (1948-50), Arkle (1964-66) and Best Mate (2002-04) – have won the Gold Cup three or more times and victory today would only cement Kauto Star’s position as one of the all-time great steeplechasers.
The versatility that has taken him to a pair of Tingle Creeks over two miles, four King Georges at three, and the stamina that propelled him to history as the first horse to regain the Gold Cup crown last year makes Kauto Star a pretty singular talent in the history of the game.
The stunning part of it all is that, after such achievement, his King George display at Christmas indicates he might just be getting better and there was no disguising the satisfaction Paul Nicholls displayed yesterday with Kauto Star’s preparation.
“When he is fit like this he is lethal,” he said. “There is nothing I can say to put anyone off him.”
Certainly a peak-form Kauto Star looks a beast of an entirely different colour to the one that just edged out Imperial Commander at Haydock earlier in the season. What that did prove conclusively is that the Nicholls superstar has the guts to go along with all that class.
A suspicion about what Kauto would find off the bridle used to be a hope that Denman fans clung to on the run up to the last two Gold Cups. But with the ground on his side, stable jockey Ruby Walsh on his back and a perfect preparation behind him, the odds-on favourite looks to boast a complete package.
“He is the best three mile plus chaser for the last 40 years,” Harry Findlay declared yesterday. “My wish is that Denman turns up and puts in a great performance. If he gets beat two or three lengths by Kauto Star, then I will be thrilled. But this will be the best Kauto Star we have ever seen.”
And that’s good enough to damn near any head-to-head.
DENMAN:Jockey: AP McCoy
Last run:Aon Chase (Grade Two) in Newbury, February 13th, was three lengths clear four out when he blundered, blundered again three out, unseating McCoy.
Gold Cup history:winner 2008; second 2009.
KAUTO STAR: Jockey:Ruby Walsh
Last run:William Hill King George VI Chase (Grade 1), Kempton, December 26th, winner.
Gold Cup history:winner 2007, 2009; second 2008.
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