Racing: The magic of Kauto Star burns as strongly as ever for owner Clive Smith as he prepares for another special Kempton Saturday afternoon, albeit one nervously delayed a couple of weeks by the weather.
For golf course magnate Smith, there will never be another horse like his French-bred superstar.
Smith can hardly believe his luck — and will never forget the early days on the road to what has turned out to be true equine fame and glory.
“I go down and see Kauto quite a lot — maybe 10 or 12 times a year — and it’s still all very interesting," he said. “Antony Bromley (bloodstock agent) found me the horse and was determined to get him. He persuaded me he was the right horse for me and he was right.
“The excitement of the King George does grow year after year — but equally there was nothing quite like the first time (2006), especially the two jumps he made at three out and at the last one.
“But for me, the most exciting race for Kauto was the first he ever ran for us, December 29, 2004 at Newbury. It was a two-mile race, and he was truly magic. We knew we had something there. The next year he went to the Betfair Chase at Haydock and Paul rushed down to the paddock after he won in great style and said, ‘I think we’ve got a world-beater’.”
Kauto Star’s return at Down Royal saw him put in an assured performance in victory to dispel the doubters after his crashing fall in the Gold Cup last March.
“It looked a serious fall at Cheltenham and I was very worried, thinking it might be the end, but I saw Ruby (Walsh) jump back on him and canter back with the cheers from the crowd. I hoped for the best really this season, he did well over the summer and we thought he had come back pretty good. He has certainly more than done that and is better than ever, I would have thought.
“I remember when Dessie (Desert Orchid) won four out of five and in what turned to be his last King George he was last and at the back of the field at the top of the straight. Thinking back to that, I would not want Kauto to run like that, I would rather he went out at the top.
“We’ll see. I think he could win this, and the Gold Cup or whatever, but he’ll never be pushed beyond what he wants. Clifford knows him inside out and when he says it’s time, that’s when it will be.”
But while Smith, Nicholls and his army of followers will be avid onlookers at Kempton, thoughts will inevitably be with absent friends, as Walsh, so much a
part of the story, continues his recuperation from a leg injury.
An unwelcome injury setback also ruled out his more-than-able deputy Noel Fehily , with Tony McCoy being called up to cap a magical couple of months following his crowning as BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Aiming to spoil the party is Nicky Henderson, who fires two shots in Riverside Theatre and perhaps most potently Long Run, general second favourite and so impressive when winning the Feltham Novices’ Chase here 12 months ago.
Owner Robert Waley-Cohen is looking forward to the return of Long Run — a horse whom he describes as the “aspiring prince” taking on the king (Kauto Star).
“Reports from Lambourn say our horse is in great order. He’s absolutely keyed up and ready to go,” said Waley-Cohen. “He likes the course, he likes the trip, but the king (Kauto Star) is the king and that is the challenge.
“The betting reflects it. I’m less fussed about the ratings, because young horses like Long Run can improve substantially. We are the aspiring prince with potential. His first run of the season would have brought him on a ton and he’s definitely come on for it.”
Henderson added: “It’s been a long wait for everybody. I’m delighted they (King George and Christmas Hurdle) are still at Kempton because that is where they belong. I’ve been happy with them and we’ve just had to concentrate on where their minds are, but the only other thing to think about is that it interrupts their preparations for March.
“It’s going to be hard work tomorrow and it will be a question of who goes in the ground. Riverside Theatre’s number one concern is the ground. Long Run has won at Auteuil in that sort of ground so I suspect and hope that he’ll cope with it.”
Henderson added: “It’s been a long wait for everybody. I’m delighted they (King George and Christmas Hurdle) are still at Kempton because that is where they belong.
“I’ve been happy with them and we’ve just had to concentrate on where their minds are, but the only other thing to think about is that it interrupts their preparations for March.
“It’s going to be hard work tomorrow and it will be a question of who goes in the ground. Riverside Theatre’s number one concern is the ground. Long Run has won at Auteuil in that sort of ground so I suspect and hope that he’ll cope with it.”