Cheltenham Gold Cup:Paul Nicholls has labelled Kauto Star "lethal" as Clive Smith's 10-year-old bids to cement his place among the National Hunt legends in Friday's totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Only Golden Miller, Cottage Rake, Mill House 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.
“You have to remember that before he ran in the Aon he gave 22lb to What A Friend and he went on to win the Lexus.
“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.”