Originally trained by Serge Foucher in
France, Kauto Star joined Paul Nicholls in November, 2004, and
recorded his first Grade 1 win in the Tingle Creek Chase, over 1 mile
7½ furlongs, at Sandown just over a year later. He rather blotted
his copybook on his first visit to the Cheltenham Festival in 2006,
falling at the third fence when 2/1 favourite for the Queen Mother
Champion Chase.
Nevertheless, he was unbeaten in
2006/07, including wins in the Betfair Chase, over 2 miles 7
furlongs, at Haydock, the Tingle Creek Chase, again, and the King
George VI Chase, over 3 miles, at Kempton. In fact, 2007 Cheltenham
Gold Cup was his first attempt beyond 3 miles, but he still started
5/4 favourite to make it 6-6 for the season.
Ridden by Ruby Walsh, as he was for
most of his career in Britain, Kauto Star was held up at the rear of
the field before improving his position just after halfway.
Approaching the fourth last fence, at the top of the hill, he was on
the heels of the leaders and, when asked for an effort, quickened to
lead at the second last fence. Despite almost breasting the final
fence, he stayed on strongly up the hill to win by 2½ lengths and
the same from 9/2 second favourite Exotic Dancer and 40/1 outsider
Turpins Green.
Kauto Star earned just over £242,000
for winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup but, having already won the first
two legs of the so-called “Betfair Million” – the Betfair Chase
and the King George VI Chase – was also eligible for a bonus of £1
million.
“That was good,” said winning
trainer Paul Nicholls in a major understatement, later adding, “He
was going so well that I think he just lost his concentration at the
last, but he never looked like falling. I don’t know what goes
through his mind when he does that, but he’s not tired.”
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