Smith hoping Kauto can be king

Kauto Star‘s owner Clive Smith believes the fact his incredible horse is even running in the Betfred Gold Cup at Cheltenham is a bonus.

Having looked near the end of his career last spring, the turnaround has been amazing and beating last year’s Gold Cup hero Long Run at Haydock and Kempton, where he won a fifth King George VI Chase, has seen him return to the summit of the sport. He has also recovered from a schooling fall last month.

“He ran a very tough race in the Gold Cup last year and you might have thought that’s the best he can do now and therefore the future wasn’t too great with Long Run winning so easily, but he’s come back better than ever,” said Smith

“Ruby (Walsh) has really mastered him perfectly now, really worked him out. There’ll be other horses making the pace, but it won’t be too slow for Kauto.

“You have got to believe Kauto might start to do things on the final circuit and if he wants to go and isn’t feeling his age, he’ll maybe go on and control things until Long Run comes at him.

“You do get more relaxed. What I wanted was Kauto Star to win the races that mattered to make sure everyone knew how good he was, and remembered him in history for the great horse he is. I hoped that would be so and I think now everybody realises what a fantastic horse he is.

“We all hoped he would be one of the most fantastic horses around. We’ve got there, and this is a bonus, perhaps. Most people believe it would be the real fairytale ending to the Festival if he won the Gold Cup again.

“It would be a remarkable achievement – people say bring the house down, this certainly could bring the grandstand down. It would be fantastic, so let’s hope he can do it.”