Paul Nicholls confirms Ruby Walsh for Kauto Stone and lays plans for the World Hurdle
Trainer, Paul Nicholls, must not have seen these many twists and turns in any other season as have come around in this one. He started off with compromising on the Hennessy Gold Cup and then the Tingle Creek. When he did put himself in the winning gear,
he lost Cristal Bonus in the StanJames.com International Hurdle while it was won by the stable mare, Zarkandar.
The dust of the loss had not settled just when the news of not one but two of his most important horses with injuries flashed the headlines. Both Big Buck’s and Al Ferof had sustained injuries which forced them to discontinue with the remaining season.
Not done digesting the absence of two horses who were to compete in highly significant spectacles, he had another issue standing right in the face. He now had to arrange for the best rider for his only contender in the William Hill King George VI Chase,
Kauto Stone, half-brother to Kauto Star.
Ruby Walsh, the ace jockey, was previously partnered with Al Ferof, but with his end of the 2012 campaign for him, the rider has now been paired up with Kauto Stone.
Ruby Walsh has ridden Kauto Stone before too, but they have not been able to make it to the winner’s enclosure.
The last that the two raced together was in the Grade 1 Sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase on 14th March, 2012 at Cheltenham over two miles. The Paul Nicholls’ trained, Kauto Stone, fell at the very first fence and could not continue
from there on.
Having compromised with representation and successes a lot already during this season, the trainer has sidelined some of his best for the World Hurdle that had remained Big Buck’s forte for the last four years.
"Ruby will now ride Kauto Stone in the King George and, looking at the World Hurdle, we have Wonderful Charm, Prospect Wells and perhaps even Tidal Bay to consider for that race," Nicholls told Betfair.
"Wonderful Charm has had a breathing operation since winning at Chepstow, and I may even consider Tidal Bay for the Cleeve Hurdle after he runs in the Lexus.
"For sure, he has enough talent and versatility to make his presence felt in the World Hurdle, as well as the Gold Cup."
Tags: