Paul Nicholls says ‘any talk of Kauto Star’s retirement is very premature’
Famous trainer Paul Nicholls has said that any talk about Kauto Star’s retirement is ‘very premature’ as the connections will make a final decision on his return in July.
Kauto Star had a disastrous Cheltenham Festival, as he failed to put up a fine show. After recovering from an injury, the champion sprinter stepped into the Gold Cup with a lot of expectations on his shoulders.
Under Ruby Walsh, the 12-year-old made a fine beginning, but he lost pace at seventh fence. His chances to win his third Gold Cup crown completely vanished, when he hit eighth fence. Since he got weakened after that, the rider pulled up four furlongs ahead
of the wire.
It was an embarrassing outcome for the fans of Kauto Star, who was 3-1 second favourite for the Grade 1 Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase, held on March 16, 2012.
After Cheltenham debacle, the rumours about Kauto Star’s retirement started circulating in the media. However, Nicholls cleared the air in his fresh Betfair column, saying that it is too early to say anything on Kauto Star’s retirement.
Nicholls said:
"We just ran out of time with him. But Kauto is 100 per cent and we will canter him away and rough him off for the summer and see where we stand when he comes back in. But any talk of retirement is very premature. Clive and I haven't even discussed it and
I dare say we won't in any great detail until Kauto comes back in, in July."
Nicholls was aiming several Cheltenham wins, but only a couple of titles came to his credit. Rock On Ruby and Big Buck's respectively won Champion Hurdle and World Hurdle for Nicholls.
His recent article reflects on the embarrassment the yard suffered at Cheltenham. Nicholls admitted some of his trainees failed to make an impact in the big event and that he has a lot to work on.
"Cristal Bonus ran very badly in the Jewson and had me scratching my head, but we knew the reason why on Friday morning when a bad abscess appeared on his whither," added the veteran handler.
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