Kauto Star Gold Cup Depends on Workout
- By A.J. Ryder on March 2, 2012 20:17 GMT
After cooling expectations that Kauto Star would run in the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup just yesterday, the latest news to emerge from Paul Nicholls Ditcheat camp is that Kauto will school again next weekend and the decision will ultimately be made following a workout next Saturday.
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Having suffered what was described as “an awful fall” when schooling last Friday, the living-legend chaser has been cantering each day but connections are still up in the air about running him in the Gold Cup if he looks anywhere short of fitness.
Speaking to At The Races this morning, Nicholls declared “He's cantered every day since, so he hasn't missed any work, but obviously the next ten days are crucial and next Saturday is when he would do his last strong bit of serious work.”
The popular National Hunt trainer was bullish on Kauto Star's enthusiasm for running in the Gold Cup but admitted he wasn't quite the physical specimen he once was. “He's a bit older so he takes two days longer to get over it as he's getting on.”
The timing of the training ground mix-up could prove to be the deciding factor, and it left the Nicholls yard with little time before the big kick-off. Final declarations for Cheltenham will come sooner rather than later. “If it was a month, we would have absolutely no problem whatsoever. It's a nightmare, really, but we will keep everyone posted.”
Kauto Star remains a general 8/1 and is 4/1 with a run for the Gold Cup but his ante post price will certainly be the source of much volatility this week – particularly on the exchanges as punters will be looking for notable signs that Kauto may not run. His price likely won't alter too much if he decides to run but if speculation is out there that he won't be risked then you will likely see him at 10/1 before Sunday.
Long Run has been clipped to even money ahead of the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
