McCoy tunes up for big date with Kauto
McCoy has been called up by Paul Nicholls to ride the 10-year-old as stable jockey Ruby Walsh is out with a broken leg and his first choice replacement Noel Fehily stood himself down with a wrist injury.
History beckons for the pair if Kauto Star is successful, as no horse has ever won the mid-season highlight five times, with Clive Smith’s chaser equalling Desert Orchid’s previous record of four 12 months ago.
Speaking on Twitter, Nicholls said: “AP (McCoy) and Kauto jumped 40 fences and did one canter once up Ditcheat hill and got on great.”
Nicholls landlord Paul Barber was present and also said everything went well.
“I saw him school this morning with Mr McCoy on board and I think it went according to plan as the jockey stayed on and the horse got round!” said Barber.
Earlier Nicholls reported Kauto Star to be in “amazing form” and that he cannot wait for the big day to arrive – weather permitting.
“He won his prep race nicely, he’s gone ever so well since and I’m very happy with him. He’s been in really good order,” said the Ditcheat handler.
“His record is incredible. That’s 14 Grade Ones he’s won. He’s won 17 races for us and not been out of the first two each time he’s got round.
“That speaks for itself. He’s an amazing horse and, at the moment, he’s in amazing form.
“We’re lucky to have a horse like him in the yard and that’s what we all strive for. I’m very, very lucky.
“Ruby’s (Walsh) not going to be there this time, but that’s racing and one of those things.
“We just hope everything goes well to the big day.”
Nicky Henderson would appear to have the best chance of stopping Kauto Star and he could not be happier with Riverside Theatre and Long Run.
“It’s not us that has over-hyped Long Run,” said the Seven Barrows handler.
“He’s a very good horse and he will get there (to the top). He’s got plenty of time.
“Riverside Theatre is completely in love with Kempton and that’s why he’s going there, he’s unbeaten there.
“Three miles is a bit of a guess but he ought to get it. He’s very talented, we’ve nurtured him a bit and he’ll go the right way. If he stays three (miles) then he’s going to be top class.”
Barry Geraghty is looking forward to getting the leg-up on Riverside Theatre, owned by actor James Nesbitt.
“He’s won four out of four at Kempton so he really likes the place,” Geraghty told At the Races.
“It’s a stiff task to take on Kauto Star, but he’s as good a chance as anything.
“We tended to feel that he would stay towards the second half of his novice career. He stayed two and a half miles well so there’s no reason he won’t stay. I’m definitely looking forward to that.
“He was originally going to go for the Peterborough but when it got delayed we scrapped that idea. He goes well fresh and he has a good chance.
“He looks well and he seems in good form, but we’ve all got a lot to find with Kauto Star.”
Tom George believes Nacarat, fourth in the race last year, will have lots in his favour.
“I’m thrilled with him. We’ve been lucky in so much as we’ve been able to keep the gallop going, so he hasn’t missed a day’s cantering,” said the Gloucestershire trainer.
“The only two times he’s had good ground in the last two years he’s won the Racing Post Chase and the Charlie Hall, so that will be in his favour.
“Good ground, three miles on a fast track is his absolute optimum.”
Sizing Europe has filled the runner-up spot on his last couple of starts, chasing home Kauto Star in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal last time.
Trainer Henry de Bromhead is under no illusions about the task in hand as his charge prepares to lock horns with a horse he describes as a “legend”.
“He’s been in very good form and we’re very pleased with him,” said the Irish trainer.
“We hope he’s improved since his last run but we are taking on a legend so to finish in the first three or four would be a fantastic run.
“It’s not a case of playing for places – you always want to win – but we are taking on a horse who is rated 20-odd pounds higher than us.”
William Hill King George VI Chase – sponsors bet: 4-5 Kauto Star, 6-1 Long Run, 11-1 Forpadydeplasterer, 12-1 Nacarat, Riverside Theatre, 14-1 Sizing Europe, 16-1 Planet Of Sound, 25-1 Albertas Run, 40-1 The Nightingale, 50-1 Madison Du Berlais, 200-1 Ollie Magern
