Ruby Walsh
Ruby’s diary - March 8
I was at Paul’s (Nicholls) again on Monday morning, and sat on Kauto, who seemed in great nick. Clive Smith and Paul say I get on the best with him, but so I should, given that I’ve been lucky enough to sit on him more times than anyone else!
I think it’s a pretty open Gold Cup and I certainly wouldn’t swap Kauto for any other horse in the race. Imperial Commander is the one to beat, after all he's the champion, while we also need to turn the tables on Long Run who won the King George so well. Kauto was on antibiotics after Kempton so hopefully he will meet Long Run in peak health which should bring them closer together. And don’t write off Denman either, who’s had a wind op.
But Kauto is a serious, serious horse and is incredibly durable. Think back to when he got beaten by Denman in the 2008 Gold Cup, and then was second again at Aintree the following month to Our Vic in a race I should have won. He then came back the next season to win his next start at Down Royal before winning the King George and Gold Cup. So I can see him bouncing back from Kempton no problem.
Looking at the other two championship races in which I have good chances, I think Master Minded’s win in the 2008 Champion Chase was the best performance from a horse that I’ve ever been part of. Even if he’s 10lb below that effort he’ll take a lot of beating in the Champion Chase, while I feel the same about Big Buck’s in the World Hurdle. He’s a strange character but got a huge engine. People talk about his flat spot, but a lot of the best horses do have one. You don’t always want them travelling on the bridle. It might look good but a horse can get a breather when coming off the bridle. Besides, he encounters his flat spot a mile from home so no need to be panicking at that stage!
I talked about these and a few others in the afternoon when appearing in the Racing UK studio for a special hour-long programme with Angus McNae.
I really enjoyed it and the time absolutely flew by. Talking about all these great Festival hopes I have has really whetted the appetite and I just can’t wait now for it to get underway.
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