Defeat unthinkable for Kauto Star
He basically lives in a different world to his six rivals and only if running way below par can one envisage him meeting defeat.
Mind you, Kauto Star does have to leave a bad experience in the Cheltenham Gold in March behind, but it wouldn’t be the first time he has come back fighting after a tumble.
Nothing went right for the ten-year-old at the Festival. He was almost on the floor at the eighth and was never travelling after that.
The fourth last then claimed him, when struggling badly to stay in contention. Before Cheltenham Kauto Star had looked simply awesome in the King George at Kempton, trouncing his opponents with a devastating exhibition of power-packed running.
Today will finally tell us exactly where we stand with Sizing Europe. A big drifter in the market on his seasonal debut at Punchestown, the vibes were right and he could never get in a blow at China Rock.
The jury remains out as to whether he will stay three miles and, indeed, as to whether he really has the potential to be top-class.
China Rock is an admirable customer, with age on his side, but this is by far his biggest ask thus far.
The Grade 2 ladbrokes.com Chase can fall to Noel Meade’s Pandorama. He is unbeaten in three races over fences, but has had problems and hasn’t been seen since beating Weapon’s Amnesty by a short head at Leopardstown at Christmas. The fact Pandorama is out so early in the season would indicate all is now more than well with this imposing gelding.
Meade supplies the nap in the shape of Asigh Pearl in the Billecart-Salmon Handicap Hurdle. She should improve plenty for her second to Rock County at Galway last month and appears nicely treated.
At Navan tomorrow much attention will focus on Colm Murphy’s Big Zeb in the Grade 2 Friends Of Navan Fortria Chase.
This will be his first run since beating Forpadydeplasterer by six lengths in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham and you would have to fancy him to have the legs on Golden Silver.
The progressive Mourad looks best in the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle. Third to Quevega at the Punchestown Festival, he previously revelled in the testing ground when scoring with any amount in hand at Fairyhouse.
Shark Hanlon’s Hidden Cyclone looked a horse for the future when cruising to victory in a moderate maiden at Tipperary. He looks the answer to a modest Grade 3 For Auction Novice Hurdle.
At Limerick tomorrow the frustrating Start Me Up, second to The Shepherd King at Galway, gets a final chance in the Winter Wonderland Maiden Hurdle.
