ONLY A FOOL WRITES OFF KAUTO.

Only a fool would write off Kauto Star.

When it dawned on me whilst standing in the sardine packed, full capacity stands at Kempton Park yesterday that Kauto Star was not going to make history and win his 5th King George, my whole soul deflated briefly. The pre race build up was immense. Kempton staff handing out banners and every other racegoer kitted out with Kauto Star knitwear. I had to try extremely hard not to start crying as he paraded passed the stands before the start. And the cheer from the crowds as the field passed the stands on the first circuit made the Cheltenham Supreme Novices 'roar' sound like an idiot.
At the end of the back straight, it was clear that he was struggling, and school boy errors in his jumping had been a worry throughout the race. AP had him under pressure whilst Long Run and Sam Whaley-Cohen loomed. Kauto's mistake at the second last almost unshipped McCoy, and cost him 2nd place to Riverside Theatre. For a moment I wished the Henderson runners would fall into a hole in the run in, or that Henderson's horsebox had got a puncture on the way to the course. Bitter I know, but I felt real heartbreak seeing racing's brightest star being demoted to third by new kids on the block.
However, news this morning that Kauto returned with a bleed has made me think that something wasn't quite right and he wasn't 100%... well, obviously. There is a lot of talk today "should Kauto Star be retired?". At 11? Seriously? If connections thought he was passed it and thought racing him again would be too big of a risk I can understand, but I truely believe that anyone who is writing him off for this years Gold Cup, is a fool! He has drifted out to 8/1 for glory in March. EIGHT TO ONE? KAUTO STAR - EIGHT TO ONE? This must be some sort of joke. There was clearly a problem at Kempton yesterday and it'll be a problem that will be nurtured within the best yard in the country. A problem that is to be solved. Maybe he won't storm up that Cheltenham hill in front this year, but he'll sure as hell run a good race, just as he did yesterday - he still ran a cracker when he was clearly not feeling comfortable. So 8/1 is looking a rather tasty proposition for me!

Congratulations to Long Run who was spot on yesterday and given a peachy ride by Sam Whaley-Cohen. I'll have no money on him for Cheltenham though. I'm still rather confused when it comes to him.
Also utterly baffled by how well Riverside Theatre went. Distance and ground should not have suited, but ignoring anything trained by Nickey Henderson yesterday was a big mistake! Well done team Hendo!
My each way money was on Nacarat who kept on just out of it in 4th.

ANTE POST

I should come clean and tell you what I'm on for the Gold Cup at ante post money.

DENMAN @ 8/1 WIN - Ran a clouter at Newbury to finish 3rd in the Hennessey under a whopping weight. Will absolutely piss all over them at level weights if he races up to the November standard.

MIDNIGHT CHASE @ 25/1 EACH WAY. - Never ever ignore a Neil Mullholland chaser, no matter how big the odds are. Especially such a tough battling horse like Midnight Chase, who is a machine round Cheltenham.

New!!!!
KAUTO STAR @ 8/1 EACH WAY. - 8/1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?! Ridiculous.
(Edit... have been informed that 12/1 is available with some firms. TWELVES!? Bloody hell.)