It was music to my ears to hear that Paul Nichols has been working Kauto Star like his life depended on it.
As I suggested it’s the smart move because no matter what Nicky Henderson says he will not have Long Run 100%. He’d be mad not to leave something to work on with the King George so close. It may seem like along time until boxing day but when you get one 110% fit and you have to let him down before building him back up again every day counts.
When you look back on 3 of the 5 runnings of this race:- Imperial Commander only just held of Tidal Bay, Kauto Star beat Imperial Commander in a photo, Kauto Star was struggling to get to Snoopy Loopy when he UR, it indicates the horses expected to win or run well in the King George are never quite as sharp as you expect.
Maybe as Reet suggested Long Run doesn’t need to be 100% fit to win but this is the best renewal of this race yet.
Diamond Harry travels like a dream in his race and won’t be brushed off lightly, Kauto Star was rated the best chaser since Arkle and if anything like his old self he would beat Long Run, Wierd Al after a lay off looked like he had improved and won so easily there’s no telling just how good he is. Time For Rupert may have improved immensely for his run at Wetherby, he’ll have to and if he has he’ll badger the life out of the leaders up the home straight and if there’s any chinks in the armour he’ll find them.
Everything on paper says Long Run wins with ease but paper doesn’t refuse ink. If he does win I reckon it will be much closer than his fans expect.
The best result would be for Kauto Star to win and we could all cry instead of just some of us 