Denman or Kauto Star?

[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!