There is no other way to start todays blog other than to talk about the legend that is Kauto Star. Clive Smith’s star chaser has been by far and away the horse that has given me the most pleasure from national hunt racing in my lifetime. It was seven years ago today that Kauto Star finished 2nd in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter behind Monkerhostin. Little did we know from that point onwards what he would go onto achieve. The first horse to regain the Cheltenham Gold Cup crown after losing it to his stablemate Denman the year before. He had a total of 31 chase starts on our shores with 19 victories, amassing a total of 2.23million in total prize money.
There are so many memories but the two that stand out for me are the regaining of the gold cup in 2009 and last years 5th King George victory. That was an emotional day for personal reasons and his victory was a real boost as I’d backed him big and played the forecast with long run on the exchanges. Betfair had a RFC market up that day and it was simply a two runner race. I think it was around 3.8-3.9 for the RFC. It was a late but very welcome Xmas present. His stride, swagger and almost brilliant exuberance at his fences were what made him so amazing.
My biggest regret was not being at one of his gold cups or any of his King Georges. A racehorse of a lifetime. A legend. Kauto Star, take a bow son.
Onto today and wiping away the tears we kick off with a new month today and lots of interest.
Todays bet of the day comes in the form of SURPRISE MOMENT (3.20 Ling). The unbeaten daughter of Authorized has improved steadily with each run and looks ready for this slight step up in class this afternoon. She is potentially well treated today as she has an official rating of 95 which I think slightly underestimates her ability and she gets the three-year old allowances in this contest this afternoon. The step up in trip to 13f may well bring about a bit of improvement too. She looks a class stayer in the making and I fully expect her to remain unbeaten and the 2/1 on offer this morning should be taken.
KINGSCROFT (4.20 Ling) must be backed again today on the back of catching a tartar at Catterick the other day. We go in with all the same reasons as we did that day, well drawn in 3 today from bottom weight.
We have the interesting situation of two list horses running in the same race a Kempton in the 6.10. JUST FIVE won twice earlier in the year off marks of 55 and 60. He had a run of average performances on the back of those wins but the thing that makes him of huge interest today is his record when going fresh. He has had a break of 80 days which should have freshened him up nicely and he looks a huge price this morning at 14/1. In the same race we must also be backing VITZNAU. He is a horse that we followed last winter as he is incredibly well handicapped. He was messed about over a variety of trips and given some more than interesting rides. I nearly fell off my seat when I saw that he had been switched to John Butler’s yard. Butler is a master at improving horses from other yards and has a high strike rate with first time out recruits from other yards. The 9/1 with Bet365 is very interesting indeed and should be played 1 pt to win as a saver.
FORTUNATE BID 8.10 Kempton is another one that we backed last week that we have to follow in again for all the same reasons. The drop back in trip should really suit tonight and we fancy him strongly. Take the 6/1 with Totesport and Betfred.
A busy day on the racing and we also have some NFL action tonight as the banged up Kansas City Chiefs travel to San Diego to take on the Chargers. It’s an interesting contest and both defences tend to struggle so I thought the points line was interesting.
Over 42.5 pts at evens with BetVictor
Have an awesome day and be lucky
MG