Kauto Star regains former glory as he is declared top-rated steeplechaser in the Anglo-Irish Jumps Classifications
The Paul Nicholls trained, Kauto Star, is a source of pride and joy for his connections and fans as he was named the top-rated steeplechaser in training in the Anglo-Irish Jumps Classifications.
The son of Village Star, out of mare Kauto Relka, was pulled up by rider Ruby Walsh from the Grade 1 Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, 2012. Despite this, he has regained the title for second time in his career.
The twelve-year-old bay gelding is now at a mark of 180 and is 10 lb short of his own career-high rating that he achieved in 2009-2010. Kauto Star is now rated higher than Long Run, who is currently under the training of Nicky
Henderson.
The seven-year-old bay gelding ranked two higher than Kauto Star last year, but since Kauto Star defeated him for the fifth time, he dethroned him, and came out on top with the best rank.
Both these runners have been in incredibly good form and had an exciting rivalry over the course of their careers.
Long Run had the highest rating last year with 182, but because his performances have been "a little bit frustrating", he now stands at 178.
On 26th December, 2011, Kauto Star acquired the well-deserved victory over, Long Run, as they faced off in the Grade 1 William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton.
Despite Long Run’s status as the evening’s favourite, he lost the victory by 1v¼ lengths.
Phil Smith, the head of handicapping at the British Horseracing Authority stated to the press:
"I thought his win at Haydock (in the Betfair Chase last November) was going to be his last hurrah. He was fit to run for his life there. Long Run was sketchy at one or two fences and I fully expected him to get his revenge at Kempton. There was no
question that this was another 180-plus performance."
Over the course of his career, the Clive D. Smith owned runner has scored twenty-three times, claiming the Cheltenham Gold Cup once on 16th March, 2007, and 13th March, 2009.
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