Kauto Stone against the Nicky Henderson trio in the King George
The King George VI Chase this year can turn out to be one of the most interesting ever held. Despite the retirement of the King George champion, Kauto Star, trainer Paul Nicholls’ has come up with highly competitive entries. In this regard trainer, Nicky
Henderson, too is not far behind as he has guarded his chances with Long Run, Finian’s Rainbow and Riverside Theatre.
Paul Nicholls had to rule out his ace hope for the Chase, Al Ferof, due to a tendon injury which would allow his participation only in the next season. For now, the stable that has won the title five times have associated their hopes with Kauto Star’s half-brother,
Kauto Stone.
The hallmark trainer seems to be in quite a vulnerable situation where his entries have shrunk in comparison to the arsenal that his rival trainer is bringing in for the contest. The situation grew graver when the trainer struggled finding the desirable
ride for his only prospect of the King George.
Any doubts regarding the participation of Finian’s Rainbow were washed out by the trainer, Nicky Henderson.
"Everything went right," he said. "He worked very well on Saturday and very well this [Tuesday] morning. All three [Finian's Rainbow, Long Run and Riverside Theatre] are intended runners."
Tiraaz’s nine-year-old Irish bay gelding, Finian’s Rainbow, ended fourth in the Grade 2 Amlin 1965 Chase on 24th November, 2012 at Ascot over two miles and three furlongs.
On the other hand, the seven-year-old bay/brown gelding, Long Run, has won the 2011 edition of the race and ranked second in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase against the Paul Nicholls’ trained, Silviniaco Conti.
The trainer commented about his lost hope:
"Al Ferof is potentially so good that we will take our time with him, and he will have the same recovery schedule as Big Buck's [month's box rest then given 2-3 hours walking daily until the ground is better in April before being turned out], then go to
Pat and John's for the summer," Nicholls said.
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