Kauto Star’s final fling

It was not to be Kauto Star’s day. After a strong start, jockey Ruby Walsh looked uncomfortable – and pulled up the two-times Gold Cup winner at the ninth fence. Tony McCoy, riding 8 to 1 shot Synchronised, took the lead at the last, beating favourite Long Run into third place. But Kauto Star still raised a cheer from the vast crowd at Cheltenham, winning their affection, if not the money that tens of thousands of punters might have been wishing for.

The mere fact that Kauto Star was able to run today was suprising in itself: just three weeks ago his chances were put at 50:50, after what trainer Paul Nicholls described as a “pretty awful fall”. But the 12-year-old had fought back before, and he was declared fit and ready for action. As Nicholls put it, before the race: “The old saying is that you just hope they come back safe. That’s never been more true than it will be here.”

Incredible record

Kauto Star’s career seemed all but finished just a year ago, but he pulled off an incredible turnaround – culminating in his fifth King George VI chase victory at Kempton on Boxing Day. He has amassed more than £2.3m in prize money, more than any other National Hunt horse has ever achieved. Nicholls said he was “astounded” by his performance. “His record speaks for itself”, he said.

And what a record. Kauto Star first won the Gold Cup back in 2007, and although he was defeated the following year, he snatched the title back in 2009 – the first horse to achieve such a victory. Now, despite today’s disappointing finish, he will still be mentioned in the same breath as those other racing legends, Desert Orchid and Arkle. His owner, Clive Smith, said he had “the heart of a lion”.

Bookies relieved

The bookies, at least, will be pleased with the outcome: with a predicted £40m bet on the race, they avoided paying out on a win by the two favourites.