Cheltenham Festival - Cheltenham Gold Cup Preview 2012

Doubts surrounding Kauto Star’s fitness and well-being have plunged Long Run’s price to retain the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday March 16.

Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old proved too strong up the Cheltenham hill for Kauto twelve months ago after Paul Nicholls’ veteran had raced well for the majority of the contest.

A subsequent no show from the dual Gold Cup winner at Punchestown initiated cries for the horse’s retirement however Nicholls decided to give his twelve-year-old one more season – a decision which proved a masterstroke following Kauto’s remarkable comeback.

A betfair Chase win and defeat of Long Run was succeeded by a fifth King George triumph which saw Kauto nail Henderson’s horse once more.

With the head to head between the two currently standing at 2-2, this year’s Gold Cup had been stoked up as the ultimate decider until Kauto Star suffered a recent fall on the gallops, putting his Festival participation in jeopardy.

With Kauto rated as a 50-50 shot to go to post, Long Run has subsequently been backed into 6/4 and now assumes an even stronger position at the head of the betting.

Punters will be praying that the battle royale still goes ahead however the majority of racing fans and sentimentalists may still be disappointed if it does.

Kauto may have enjoyed a renaissance in beating his younger rival twice this season but Cheltenham should be a different story.

Kauto Star’s legs simply didn’t last in 2011 and he was left helpless as Long Run breezed past to Gold Cup Glory.

With another year on his back, it is impossible to suggest how Kauto can improve on that effort, especially taking into account the trip which is a quarter-mile further than the King George.

And make no mistake, Kauto was holding on to the death at Kempton.

Long Run’s price may not look as satisfying as the 9/4 available a few weeks ago; nevertheless he should still be taken to win in style as there is little else in the field left to trouble him even if Kauto Star runs and can put up a fight.

The only other outlet for punters looking to bet on the race is Burton Port who provides Nicky Henderson with a seriously talented second string.

With Sam Waley-Cohen getting the leg up on Long Run, Burton Port will have the benefit of Barry Geraghty on board and the pair almost hauled down Long Run and Waley-Cohen at Newbury recently returning from a long absence.

Burton Port was receiving ten pounds that day, making Long Run’s victory appear sufficiently more impressive than on first view.

But Burton Port should improve for the run and can bridge the gap if able to stay on at the end of the race.

Lexus Chase winner Synchronised would have a major shout if the going came up soft but that looks unlikely, whilst Grands Crus participation still hangs in the balance as David Pipe decides between the big one and the RSA Chase.

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03/03/2012     © Frixo 2024