Something ‘exceptional’ needed to beat Kauto
The champion trainer took part in a question and answer session on the BBC Sport website, fielding questions from the public.
And when he was assessing the merits of his two brilliant chasers, current champion Kauto Star and the young pretender Denman, Nicholls admitted that he thought Kauto Star was still the one to beat.
“Both jockeys will be given orders to win the race,” Nicholls told www.bbc.co.uk.
“Recently I’ve said to Ruby Walsh to ride Kauto Star more positively, while Sam Thomas knows Denman needs a nice gallop. If someone is going a nice gallop, he can use that as a lead and if not he can bowl along.
“Ruby will ride the race from behind so there’s no way they can cut each other’s throats.
“If they do turn around that last bend together there will be some sort of roar I can tell you...with Neptune Collonges five lengths in front!
“I still think Kauto Star will be hard to beat. Whatever beats him will have to be exceptional.
“But no-one knows who is going to win. As for the bonus (Betfair Million), that’s not what Clive (Smith, owner of Kauto Star) is doing it for. The bonus is there but he’s doing it to win the Gold Cup.
“The rivalry is good for racing and good for everybody.”
Asked which one he would ride, Nicholls said: “Put it this way, if I was in Ruby Walsh’s shoes, I wouldn’t get off Kauto Star. There’s no way he could get off him.
“They quite often canter up the hill together but when they’re doing fast work Denman works on his own because of the way he is. Kauto Star often works with Mr Pointment or Master Minded.”
