Kauto is Betfair Star
Kauto Star brought the house down at Haydock with a brilliant performance to win the Betfair Chase for a fourth time.
The dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner showed he is still at the top of his game at the age of 11 in making all the running against a field that included reigning blue riband champion Long Run and Hennessy victor Diamond Harry.
Kauto Star (6-1) galloped all the way to the line to win by eight lengths from the 6-5 favourite Long Run.
Kauto Star held a narrow lead from Time For Rupert in the early stages and jumped impeccably.
On the second circuit, he completely outjumped Long Run at several obstacles and it was a surprise that Nicky Henderson’s young ace was still able to mount a challenge in the straight.
Diamond Harry ran well for a long way but could not match the big two in the closing stages, while Time For Rupert and Weird Al could never get close enough.
Kauto Star kept his jumping together in the closing stages and always had plenty in hand after the last to keep Long Run at bay.
Trainer Paul Nicholls, who was enjoying a big-race double after the success of Master Minded, also owned by Clive Smith, at Ascot, said: ``I'm speechless. That's the best day I've ever had. It's just amazing.
“We’d left no stone unturned, I’d got him as fit as he ever had been. We’d always thought about trying to make the running today, but hadn’t told anyone for obvious reasons, and it all went to plan.
“Last year at home he always made a noise on the gallops and he wasn’t finishing his races, but for some reason this year he’s not making any noise at all.
“He’s great for racing, and I hope those that said he should have been retired will apologise.”
Winning rider Ruby Walsh said: “He’s an amazing horse. Paul had him spot on. I was hoping there would be another big day in him so I’m glad now I’m here and not at Ascot (riding Master Minded).
“I thought I’d take the bull by the horns and see how we get on. It’s just a pleasure.”
Ladbrokes and William Hill slashed Kauto Star in price to 4-1 to land the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day for a fifth time.
Smith said: “He’s just as good as ever – he appears to be. It’s such a wonderful win. Everyone was so excited.
“They cheered him before the race and they cheered him afterwards. It was fantastic.
“He knows he’s king and he just said, ‘here I am’. He’s an amazing horse and he’s such a wonderful, talented creature.
“I’ve always thought if he ran well today I’d like him to go back to Kempton as he has won it four times and deserves another crack.”
Henderson said of Long Run: ``He jumped great until a couple of errors crept in there, and all of a sudden he wasn't going as well as he should have been. But in fairness, he stayed on very well from there.
“I suspect we’ll be meeting again at Christmas (in the King George), don’t you? That’s all we can do.
“There’s no doubt it’s going to have done him good.
“As I’ve just said to Robert (Waley-Cohen, owner), it’s slightly like his first run last year.
“He jumped very well, apart from a couple of silly errors – and we’ve got a run into him.
“I’m delighted to see that horse (Kauto Star) back. It’s going to make it all to play for now.
“It’s great for racing, just disappointing to get beaten obviously.
“But we’ve got time to get our own back.”
Long Run's rider Sam Waley-Cohen said: ``Down the back he was finding it hard enough to lay up there and that was probably where the chips were being laid down.
“It was first time out and Kauto Star is a great horse – if there is any horse you wanted to come second to it was Kauto Star.
“We are proud of Long Run, he has got beaten by a great horse and there is a lot of the season left.”
Weird Al was a creditable third for Donald McCain, who said: “That’s grand. We came here not knowing if he was up to this level.
“Timmy (Murphy) said he didn’t feel quite as sharp as Wetherby – which, with his track record, would be understandable. But it’s a great run, and we’re very pleased with him.
“It will be a long break, because he is definitely a better horse fresh and sharp.
“We won’t be going over Christmas. We’ll wait until the spring. We’ve got plenty of time to decide where we’re going, but at least we know we can compete at this level.”
