Horse racing: Kauto Star facing a ‘D-Day’ fitness test

Kauto Star’s chances of competing in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup will hinge upon a “D-Day” workout on Saturday, owner Clive Smith has revealed.

The magnificent 12-year-old chaser, twice a winner of the Cheltenham Festival centrepiece, was last Thursday reported as 50-50 about running on Friday week following a bad schooling fall at Paul Nicholls’ Ditcheat yard. Recent vibes have, however, been far more ebullient as the build-up to the Gold Cup gathers pace.

But Smith accepts any setbacks, no matter how minor, could still see Nicholls forced to take him out of the reckoning. He said: “I spent an hour with Kauto on Saturday and the physio seemed very pleased with him. But then I spoke to Clifford [Baker, Nicholls’ head-lad] and he said it very much depended on his work this week – if he has a setback any day it would not be good.

“Saturday is going to be D-Day, but I’m quite hopeful, having talked to various people about it, that he’ll make it [to Cheltenham]. He’s sore around his neck and along his right flank, but he’s responding well to treatment. It’s whether he can improve sufficiently before the race.”

When asked if his odds of running in the Gold Cup have shortened since the news was broken last week, Smith added: “Yes, I’d say they probably have.”

Nicholls later added on Betfair: “Nothing major to report on the Kauto Star front this morning, though we stepped up his work as we said we would. He had his physio and an hour on the walker, as per usual. And then he had a ten-furlong canter with Five Dream.

“But, in addition to that, he had a canter up the hill with the same horse. We will keep adding to this workload and tomorrow he will do the same, but have two canters up the hill instead of one. Again, he is fine and we are heading in the right direction at the moment.”

Even if Kauto Star fails to make it time for the big day, his regular partner Ruby Walsh has an enviable book of rides at Cheltenham as he bids to add to his record tally of winners at the Festival.

With his mounts including many punters’ idea of bankers in the shape of Hurricane Fly, Quevega and Big Buck’s, the Irish ace is a short price to be top jockey for a seventh time. He has already amassed a total of 32 Festival winners, overhauling two years ago the record of 25 set by the late Pat Taaffe.

The latter is remembered for his association with three-times Gold Cup hero Arkle and Walsh has built up a similar relationship with Kauto Star. “I hope Kauto Star gets there 100 per cent, but whether he’ll win or not he’ll be a great ride,” said Walsh. “Realistically, I think over that trip Long Run will be very hard to beat. It’s not Cheltenham that suits Long Run, it’s the trip.” He gets the leg up on Kauto Star’s half-brother Kauto Stone in the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase and is expecting a big run. The Nicholls-trained Big Buck’s also seeks to land the Ladbrokes World Hurdle for a fourth time, with Walsh on board the great stayer, who goes for his 16th win in a row.