Denman or Kauto Star?

[Hwjb]

Straw Bear is beginning to look a bit of a twicer, now that may be down to physical problems rather than anything else, but even at the top of his game he would make limited appeal for the Champion Hurdle as he's probably not even among the top 3 British-trained contenders, not to mention the Irish! If he's straight, however, he'll make a fantastic novice chaser when the time comes next season.

Whilst The Listener is a top-class chaser, he's proven that several times of the last two seasons, the problem will likely be that he'll encounter ground much less testing than suits him best.

[my miss storm cat]

What about Monet?

Do you see him as having a shot?

[Hwjb]

Monet's Garden was receiving 14 lb and beat Kauto Star 1.25 lengths at Aintree earlier in the year when Kauto was patently in need of the run more than Monet's, so he'd effectively need Kauto to fall to come out on top. The two meet today in the Ascot Chase over 2m5f off level weight and it will be a major shock if Kauto is beaten, even though he won't be spot on for this with Cheltenham just 4 weeks away, whereas I believe Monet's Garden is being kept for Aintree in April, and so is more likely to be trained to the day for this race, which he won 12 months ago. Racing Demon should be suited by the track, however, and I think he can be the one to chase Kauto Star home today. We'll see!

[NoChanceToDance]

Originally Posted by Hwjb

Monet's Garden was receiving 14 lb and beat Kauto Star 1.25 lengths at Aintree earlier in the year when Kauto was patently in need of the run more than Monet's, so he'd effectively need Kauto to fall to come out on top. The two meet today in the Ascot Chase over 2m5f off level weight and it will be a major shock if Kauto is beaten, even though he won't be spot on for this with Cheltenham just 4 weeks away, whereas I believe Monet's Garden is being kept for Aintree in April, and so is more likely to be trained to the day for this race, which he won 12 months ago. Racing Demon should be suited by the track, however, and I think he can be the one to chase Kauto Star home today. We'll see!

I don't agree about the point you made that Kaudo was more in need of the run than Monet's at Aintree at all. Everything about the race suggested that Kauto was by far the the fitter that day, including on paddock looks.

Kauto will win today if he stands up, but the race at Aintree was certainly interesting and although Nicholls said he was "thrilled" with that run, he was pretty down after that and so were quite a few of the staff, as they thought he was "buying money" that day!

[brockguy]

kauto wins as he pleases today.. all set for cheltenham. I have to note Neptune Collonges performance today at Wincanton giving a stone and more to his rivals.. I think he can come 2nd in the Gold Cup - a seriously underrated horse...

[my miss storm cat]

Sporting Life...

KAUTO RUMOURS SURFACE


By PA Sport Staff



A number of bookmakers have suspended betting on the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup amid rumours about the wellbeing of favourite Kauto Star.

Paul Nicholls' reigning champion was an impressive winner of the Commercial First Ascot Chase on Saturday afternoon, seeing off Monet's Garden by eight lengths.

However, the Racing Post later reported that Nicholls' stable star has sprained a fetlock and that the trainer will issue an update on his wellbeing on Sunday.

Stan James, totesport and Paddy Power were among the bookmakers to stop taking bets on the March 14 feature.

[NoChanceToDance]

I can't see him making the line up to be honest. Paul Nicholls is not one to rush horses, especially good horses like him.

The betting told you all you needed to know last night; Denman Evens and Kauto Star almost 4/1.

I hate to sound horrible or negative but in a strange sort of way, it spices up the Gold Cup a bit now.