Kauto bowled over by brave Vic
Ruby Walsh’s thunderous face told its own story as he returned aboard the 4-7 favourite, who had been on a retrieval mission after chasing home stablemate Denman in the Gold Cup last month.
Despite not jumping with his usual fluency, Kauto Star grabbed the lead from the front-running Our Vic at the third-last and started to propel himself clear.
But the eight-year-old absolutely ploughed through the penultimate obstacle and started to idle as Our Vic began to bridge the gap.
Timmy Murphy threw everything at the David Pipe-trained 9-1 chance and drew alongside Kauto Star in the dying strides to deny the 2007 Gold Cup hero by nose.
“I told Ruby to ride him positively, but he came back in and said to me he should have held on to him,” said Nicholls.
“I was probably wrong to tell shim to do that and he probably would have been better getting a lead.
“I said to Ruby that nine times out of 10 we get it right. We didn’t get it right there though and he is steaming with me now. I was wrong on the day – but there you are.
“He was idling a bit in front and we were only beaten a nose, but as Ruby said it is the difference between winning and losing.
“He has still run a cracking race, but full credit to Our Vic – he was the best horse on the day.”
Kauto Star will now be put away until next autumn, but did push the champion trainer past the £3million prize-money marker with his second-place finish.
“It was inevitable that would happen, but when you get beat like that you want to be winning,” Nicholls added.
Kauto Star’s owner Clive Smith said: “I would say his run at Cheltenham will have had something to do with that and he must have been feeling it.
“He seemed to get tired towards the finish and Cheltenham must have left its mark.
“I think he can be just as good next season and I am sure he will be back on the top of the tree this time next year.”
Pipe, whose father Martin saddled Celestial Gold to victory in the race two years ago, was gracious in victory.
He said: “Both horses deserved to win. Our Vic and Timmy have given their all. He’s battled back, he’s got a good jump at the last.
“I was always happy until we made a mistake at the first in the home straight and Kauto Star went on. The blinkers have definitely helped him and sharpened him jump.
“He’s a very good horse and has been a good horse all his life. Whenever this fellow retires we’ll miss him.”
