Kauto silences critics with stunning display
Despite his tremendous record in recent years, there were plenty of people willing to knock Paul Nicholls’ charge.
He arrived at Kempton having lost his air of invincibility when slipping up at Haydock.
Bookmakers priced him up at 11-8 in the morning but a late surge of money saw him sent off the 10-11 favourite, the third consecutive year he had been sent off odds-on for the showpiece race.
Tamarinbleu set a brisk early gallop before stablemate Our Vic took over down the back straight.
He appeared to be going well up front with Imperial Commander but suddenly took to jumping badly left in the last mile, throwing away his chance.
Kauto Star put in a few hairy leaps but Ruby Walsh moved up to challenge with half a mile to go.
Voy Por Ustedes, trying the trip for the first time, Albertas Run and Briareus were all still going well but then Walsh pressed the button.
Only Albertas Run, winner of the SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham last season, could live with Kauto Star by the time they approached two-out but soon he was burned off too.
As the Kempton crowd held its collective breath when Kauto Star approached the final fence, it was as if the horse knew all eyes were on him and he paddled through it in his now almost-trademark style.
But he never looked like falling and beat Albertas Run by eight lengths with Voy Por Ustedes in third.
Only Desert Orchid had previously won the Christmas cracker three years in succession and Kauto Star will have every chance of emulating the gallant grey in 12 months’ time with a fourth win.
Walsh enthused: “He’s a star, isn’t he?
“It was a truly-run race and a few good jumps put him into the race – after that he was away.
“He’s always been a wonderful horse but when you are at the top, people want to knock you.”
Nicholls said: “I wish some people would give him the respect he deserves.
“I’m so pleased for the horse, not anyone else, just him.
“I wish I hadn’t run him last time at Haydock – it was not Sam Thomas’ finest hour but we knew we had him back.
“When he’s right, he’s a very good horse.
“He definitely won’t run before the Gold Cup and I can safely say he will only have the one run next year before the King George.”
Lucky owner Clive Smith was understandably delighted.
He said: “Ruby said they went too fast early on so he just hung back before he made his effort in the last half-mile.
“You need pace to lay up with them though and undoubtedly he was on top form today.
“He was as stylish as he has ever been and now we can all look forward to the rest of the season.
“I didn’t back him today, I’d backed him a few days ago and the prize money is enough.”
Jonjo O’Neill expressed his satisfaction at the performance of Albertas Run.
“We’re thrilled to bits with that,” he said.
“We knew the ground gave him a chance – it’s just a shame the other horse (Kauto Star) is a flying machine.
“We’ll probably give him a run at Cheltenham as he stays well and he likes that track.”
Alan King said of Voy Por Ustedes: “Choc (Robert Thornton) just felt he got outstayed for second.
“We’re likely to drop him back in trip now.”
