'Lethal' Kauto Star can add even more sparkle to his golden career

PAUL Nicholls has labelled Kauto Star "lethal" as Clive Smith's ten-year-old bids to cement his place among the National Hunt legends in this afternoon's mouthwatering renewal totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Only Golden Miller, Cottage Rake, Arkle and Best Mate have ever won the blue riband event three times, and all did it in consecutive seasons. Kauto Star has already created his own unique piece of history by becoming the first horse to reclaim the prize 12 months ago, and another win for Ruby Walsh's mount would add yet more lustre to his legacy. Having been kept fresh since winning a fourth King George VI Chase in spectacular fashion, champion trainer Nicholls is feeling bullish again.

"It is impossible to say he is better than ever as it was such a wonderful performance at Kempton," said Nicholls.

"He worked with Master Minded last weekend and there are very few who can do what he did with a champion chaser. When he is fit he is lethal and there is nothing I can say to put anyone off him."

According to the bookmakers, Kauto Star has most to fear from stablemate and 2008 winner Denman, who finished second 12 months ago after an interrupted preparation. Yet again Denman's last appearance before Cheltenham did not go to plan as he left his new jockey, Tony McCoy, on the floor in the Aon Chase which was won by another stablemate, Tricky Trickster.

McCoy is back in the saddle and the racing world is itching to see the two best horses and the two best jockeys competing in the highlight of the season.

"Denman did a very good piece of work with Tricky Trickster at the weekend. The more you do and the more you drill him the better he gets," added Nicholls.

"He did have a little setback, but he is over that and do not write him off. The danger with Denman is that you go off too quick on him and get to the bottom of him too soon. He loves a battle and if he had got into a scrap with Niche Market at Newbury he would have loved it."

A 40 million pound betting bonanza is on the cards ahead of the Gold Cup, according to Ladbrokes, who make Kauto Star their 4-6 favourite, with Denman at 4-1. "We're used to seeing big money at the Festival but the Kauto v Denman clash could send us into meltdown. We're only glad they both can't win," said David Williams of Ladbrokes.

Bookmakers have enjoyed one of their most profitable Festivals in recent memory, but insist a win for Kauto Star could yet leave them with a mixed bag. "Kauto Star is the horse we fear," added Williams. "He has a public following that transcends racing. If he races to victory we could end up handing back all the money we collected earlier in the week."

One of the few viable alternatives to the big two is last year's Ryanair winner, Imperial Commander. Nigel Twiston-Davies' nine-year-old only went down by a nose to Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November, and returns to a course where he has won four times over fences after disappointing in Kempton's King George VI Chase.

"He's in really good nick and I'm very happy with him. He got within a whisker of beating Kauto Star at Haydock. I couldn't be happier and I'm really looking forward to it," the Naunton handler said. "He's won four out of five over fences at Cheltenham. He was very wrong the only time he was beaten there. He damaged a hock and didn't run for nearly a year. Otherwise, without that, he'd have been unbeaten there."

In the Triumph Hurdle, Musselburgh regulars are sure to watching with interest how favourite Carlito Brigante fares, having twice scored at the East Lothian course during his preparation for Cheltenham.

No great shakes on the level, Carlito Brigante has taken to hurdling brilliantly well and has won his last three races in impressive fashion. Bought by Gordon Elliott on the advice of his good friend and jockey Jason Maguire after winning at Musselburgh in November and now runs in the famous colours of Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown Stud. Since then, he has won at Leopardstown and Musselburgh in the Scottish Triumph Hurdle, and he is fancied to continue his winning run today.