Last season was seen as something of a changing of the guard in the staying chase division with Kauto Star losing his King George crown to Long Run, and that same rival taking the Gold Cup in March, breaking the stranglehold of Kauto Star, Denman and Imperial Commander. It was assumed that Long Run would go on to dominate for a few seasons to come, and that the old brigade would gradually fall into retirement with the memories of their great performances from yesteryear still fresh in the mind.
After brave performances in defeat in the King George and the Gold Cup, and a disappointing effort at Punchestown, the old warrior Kauto Star had a few questions to answer. According to owner Clive Smith his racing future depended on his performance this afternoon. Another lifeless display would have seen the curtain drawn on a quite brilliant career. Both Smith, and trainer Paul Nicholls had issued positive bulletins on the well-being of their charge and you could sense that they felt a big performance was in the offing. That said there was a degree of caution exercised because Kauto Star has become 'public property', and many had called for his retirement. It would have been foolish to start talking of victory with so much at stake, but there were positive noises that a good run was hoped for, if not expected.
Since he landed on these shores, 7 years ago, he had never started at bigger than 5/1 and had only failed to head the market on two occasions. Nevertheless, the public's dedicated belief in their champion was waning. The new kid on the block, Long Run, was the market leader, with Diamond Harry second best, and the great Kauto Star only third choice of the punters. This was evidence of the growing acceptance that his time had been and gone. His older legs seemed unable to cope with the youthful challenge to his titles. Last season he had fallen from his lofty perch, but his will could never be questioned. He seemed as determined as ever but the brilliant ability of old seemed to be absent.
And so, his seasonal reappearance in the Betfair Chase was something of a career defining moment. Another lacklustre display and his career would be confined to the history books. The public felt that victory was beyond him, and even I, his greatest fan, was uncertain that he could manage the historic triumph that we all hoped for, but could never have expected. The opposition was formidable with the aforementioned Long Run, Hennessy winner Diamond Harry, and promising young chasers Weird Al and Time For Rupert all featuring. This would be a true test to whether the old horse still had petrol left in the tank.
Ruby Walsh set off in determined fashion right from flag fall, with Kauto jumping spectacularly well. He travelled powerfully throughout and was hard on the steel coming round the home turn. You got the feeling that everything else had been flat to the boards from some way out. Time For Rupert had already dropped off, Diamond Harry was still on the premises but was going quicker than he would have liked, Long Run was hard at work in 3rd, with and Pure Faith had already been pulled up. The similarities with the Gold Cup were all to striking; Kauto Star travelling well in front, looking like the winner, with Long Run hard at work in behind. Entering the home straight Ruby asked Kauto to lengthen and the response was instant. He quickly dropped Diamond Harry, who started to pay the price for trying to lay up on the lead. Long Run kept staying on at the one pace but the race looked Kauto's to lose. He was a little fiddly at the second last, the one minor blemish in an otherwise foot-perfect jumping display, but a terrific leap at the last sealed the race. And, when Ruby got serious, he really quickened away smartly to win by 8 lengths, suggesting there was a little left in the tank
His reputation meant that this result could never be considered a shock; his remarkable record speaks for itself, and a return to form was never out of the question, just considered unlikely. But nobody expected him to win, and certainly nobody expected him to win in the manner that he did. Everyone had hoped that he could produce a good round and, most importantly, come back safe and sound, but not even his connections could have envisaged a display of such relentless galloping and fluent jumping. He had them at it from a long way out. Remarkably he broke the course record having forced the pace right from the start.
Jockey Ruby Walsh, trainer Paul Nicholls and owner Clive Smith were ecstatic, and rightly so. They had never lost faith in the horse, and had bravely resisted, and even ridiculed, calls for retirement. This victory was full justification for their belief in their horse and a right reward for them sticking to their guns. Before a similar scenario happens again it must be remembered what he has contributed to the game since the first retirement calls began. They began after he fell in the 2010 Gold Cup, and since then he has won the Grade 1 JN Wine Champion Chase, finished 3rd in the King George, and 3rd in the Gold Cup (this terrific race would have been nothing without Kauto Star and Denman battling it out), and now won the Grade 1 Betfair Chase. It will be to the benefit of all if we can accept that his connections have the very best interests of the horse at heart. I sincerely hope that all those calling for retirement are eating a generous portion of humble pie this evening.
My one regret is that I foolishly decided to stay at University and not make the 6 hour round trip to Haydock Park. How and why this decision was reached I will never know. If I could turn back the clock 12 hours then I would do so in a flash. 3 hours of anticipation on the way there, and three hours of unbridled delight on the way home would have been a minute price to pay for being there to witness one of the great moments in national hunt racing.
The season of 2010/11 was supposed to be the changing of the guard. But could it be that 2011/12 sees the return of the old brigade? Kauto Star looked as good as ever today, and his old rival and next-door neighbour Denman is booked in for his return in the Lexus Chase over Christmas. Whether Kauto can keep it up as all eyes turn to Kempton on Boxing Day is a different matter. But, thoughts on the future are best left for another day, because this was a performance all about the present. A former champion, who was down but not quite out, returning right back to his very best, to take the Betfair Chase in impressive style from an excellent field of young rivals. A 5th King George on December 26th? Now that really would be some story.
A terrific racehorse and a terrific performance.
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