Denman or Kauto Star?

[ARyan]

Originally Posted by Hwjb

Two things. First, Denman met his only defeat in a Royal and SunAlliance Hurdle in which the emphasis was too much on speed. Nicholls has since said that they didn't ride him positively enough and, for all he stayed on really well, he was never quite able to get Nicanor off the bridle. Second, surely it's unimaginable to think that Denman couldd have replicated his stablemate and won a Tingle Creek in the devastating style of Kauto Star.

It's true that Denman's Aon win was achieved in a quicker time (6.03.95) to Kauto Star's King George (6.09.35), but you can't go round comparing times from different tracks just because they're run at the same trip. The Racing Post standard at Nebury is 5.50, compared with 6mins at Kempton. Time comparisons are only ever of any real use when compared with races on the same card at the same trip, and, as you would expect, the time performance of the King George was in a different league to that of the Feltham, whilst on form Kauto's imperious win was the best seen in the race since Desert Orchid, surpassing those of One Man, See More Business and Kicking King.

While I am a newbie on this scene, when I was at Kempton for the King George, I absolutly fell in love with Kauto Star. His win was so impressive.

I also fell in love with Straw Bear, but I hear he bleeds. They should send him across the pond and let him clean up over here.

I love reading this part of the DT Forum now, and keeping up with the UK racing.

[my miss storm cat]

I'm going to be stubborn here and hope that the gallant win by The Listener puts to rest the whole it's-not-the-right-distance argument.

Oh yes he can!

The original question..... I'd say Kauto Star but my opinion is based on emotion and not knowledge.

[my miss storm cat]

For his fans, from RP.....

Straw Bear heads straight to Cheltenham without run

by Keith Hamer

STRAW BEAR will go straightto the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle without another run.

Connections made the decision after the JP McManus-owned seven-year-old had a workout on Wednesday.

That means Straw Bear, a 20-1 shot for Champion honours at Cheltenham on March 11, will miss Saturday's Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.
"He's not running at Wincanton. He's going to go straight for the Champion Hurdle," said trainer Nick Gifford.

"He had a breeze this morning and I've spoken to Frank Berry (the owner's racing manager) and we've decided we're going straight to Cheltenham. The horse is in good form."

[ARyan]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

For his fans, from RP.....

Straw Bear heads straight to Cheltenham without run

by Keith Hamer

STRAW BEAR will go straightto the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle without another run.

Connections made the decision after the JP McManus-owned seven-year-old had a workout on Wednesday.

That means Straw Bear, a 20-1 shot for Champion honours at Cheltenham on March 11, will miss Saturday's Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.
"He's not running at Wincanton. He's going to go straight for the Champion Hurdle," said trainer Nick Gifford.

"He had a breeze this morning and I've spoken to Frank Berry (the owner's racing manager) and we've decided we're going straight to Cheltenham. The horse is in good form."

Thank you!!!

[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!