Paul Nicholls focusing on Kauto Star-Long Run rivalry
Trainer Paul Nicholls is looking forward to the long standing rivalry between his trainee, Kauto Star and Nicky Henderson’s Long Run. The two horses have challenged each other on four occasions, and they are all set to meet once again in next month’s
Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Long Run knocked Kauto Star down in both the Gold Cup and the King George VI Chase last season. However, the 12-year-old came back strongly to defeat Nicky Henderson’s trainee, when the two horses locked horns in the Betfair Chase at Haydock. Perpetuating
his good run, the veteran outclassed, Long Run, in the William Hill King George VI Chase over Christmas last year.
In their previous meeting, the spectators witnessed a neck-to-neck contest between the pair. However, Kauto Star finally stole the show by beating his younger rival by 1 ¼ lengths.
The two high status horses are currently warming up their legs to outshine each other in the much-awaited Cheltenham festival. While the horse racing fans are anticipating a close contest, Nicholls has said that it is hard to predict anything, as the
big two are closely matched.
"If Kauto was four years younger, then he would be favourite, but I suppose people think Long Run will be better suited to Cheltenham, and he is the champion after all," Nicholls said.
He added: "Without a doubt, Kauto is better than last season, and it is difficult to know whether Long Run has improved since last year, so it should bring them closer together."
Despite the fact that Nicholls is relishing this old rivalry, he would also be slightly under pressure. Kauto Star, who has won the Gold Cup title on two different occasions, will look to make it for the third time. His trainer believes the old hand
horse has decent chances, since his big rival and stablemate, Denman has retired from the sport.
"The quicker they go the better early on, but then it's just a case of getting a breather in, and Kauto never had that chance with Denman up his backside," added the champion trainer who has a number of mega titles to his credit.