Kauto Star.

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vicijp

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www.vicijpricehorses.co.uk
How would you improve his jumping?
For those of you not in the know, he is a brilliant jumper. His problem is he is so good, he is generally miles in front going easy at the last - then lifts it out of the ground.
Heres the trainers view for you:
http://www.racingpost.co.uk/news/master.sd?psection=racingpost.co.uk&page=News&category=News
Persoanlly I wouldnt do a lot different except change the jockey. Ruby Walsh is excellent, so dont think im dissing him. Tony Mccoy is simply the master at keeping horses concentrating - he would drive him in and pick him up at the last, no question about it.
Any ideas?
 
Copied the main bit for you:
RED-HOT favourite Kauto Star is to be given extensive schooling and will have the benefit of extra security cameras to deter intruders as the clock ticks down to the Gold Cup on March 16.
Questions about Kauto Star’s prospects of successfully negotiating the 22 fences in the Gold Cup dominated a packed press day at trainer Paul Nicholls’ Ditcheat yard in Somerset on Thursday.
A gathering of around 40 pressmen, photographers and camera crews assembled as 25 members of the champion trainer’s biggest ever festival squad were paraded.
They had assembled principally to inspect one horse, and as Britain’s top-rated chaser was led out of the No. 1 box at Manor Farm Stables he was met by a blaze of flashbulbs that would have done credit to a Gold Cup winner.
Nicholls, ever keen to stress that Kauto Star’shugely publicised last-fence errors in the King George and in the Game Spirit Chase shouldn’t detract from overall appreciation of the horse’s talent, was adamant: “Kauto Star isn’t a bad jumper; most of the time he jumps really well.
“We have to livewith the fact that every now and again he will make a bad mistake - just like a whole host of top-class chasers down the years have done.
“For that reason, our hearts will always be in our mouths every time he runs but we are lucky in one respect, andthis is something his critics tend to forget: fences are generally a lot softer nowadays, and Cheltenham is no exception.
“The fences that were a problem there at one time have been resited. It means a horse like ‘Kato’ can make these errors but luckily stay on his feet, and as long as he keeps getting away with it, we’ll be okay.
“Lots of people are getting worked up about his jumping in the Gold Cup, but we’re not worrying too much and it’s not something I’m losing any sleep over.”
Nicholls revealed that he will be giving Kauto Star some extra match practice between now and March 16.
“Ruby schooled him yesterday morning,” he said, “and he’ll be schooled again next week and the week after.
“He jumped barrels, poles and all manner of things, and he did it beautifully - but then he always does.
 
I thought the comment of comparing him to Moscow in H&H was quite apt as Moscow was very similar in cock ups. I would leave him to get on with it and see what happens - I sometimes think too much schooling makes them complacent. I am sure Paul Nicholls has covered everything.
 
Yes I agree - reading Jessica Harrington in H&H yesterday who compares him to Moscow Flyer she makes a lot of sense, and I don't think schooling at home will make a difference to lack of concentration on the big day. Kauto Star is relatively young so perhaps he will just 'grow out of it' - here's hoping anyway!
 
yes, i think a change of jockey "might" do him good...

i remember a horse, one of my all time favourites, Night Nurse, being a bit like this with his regular jockey.
but then said regular was injured, replaced, horse jumped much better. JJ O'Neill took over.

although he was never 100%, could "drop one in" at anytime, not just the last fence.


i would like to see what would happen with KS if he was REALLY asked at the business end though!!
 
As everyone else has said, leave him alone, and i don't think i'd even change the jockey, as the old saying goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" and although he makes these dreadfull mistakes, he's still winning!!

That said, if i had a horse like that (not KS as i still think the above is true, and i wouldn't change anything) but, if i had a horse like that, i'd do some grid work with poles on the landing side.. ie bounce of cross poles, one stride to a spread with a place pole in the middle, and then another on on the landing side.. something to get him thinking about the landing side too, not just the take off..
 
mmm, hence my comment about wondering what would happen under REAL pressure, both from opponents and jockey??.
 
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Do you think its relevant that the major errors have been at the last fence?

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The horse shouldnt know it is the last fence, but the jockey definetly does.....
The crowd noise may be a factor, in which case earplugs.
 
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Yes agree MCcoy would be brilliant on him but then he has exotic dancer to run in the Gold cup?

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Hypothetically, of course. I think ED can win.

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Yes I want ED to win it lovce the horse!
do you know what has happened to mokerhoisten?
 
No idea, was wondering the same myself. Probably gone the same way as most of that trainers end up going...
What do you think about Brave Inca for the Champion hurdle? Looks as though Ruby may be on, the main Nicholls hope is looking more likely for a lesser race (if it comes up soft).
 
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No idea, was wondering the same myself. Probably gone the same way as most of that trainers end up going...


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oo, and where/what is that?? sorry not "in the know".
 
Wouldn't have McCoy within 100 yards of a horse of mine, I'm afraid, he's far too free with the whip. People seem to have very short memories but I remember him being banned for excessive use of the whip and being sent to the British Racing School to learn how to ride . . . .
http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1998/11/17/fshead.htm
(scroll down the page . . )
 
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No idea, was wondering the same myself. Probably gone the same way as most of that trainers end up going...
What do you think about Brave Inca for the Champion hurdle? Looks as though Ruby may be on, the main Nicholls hope is looking more likely for a lesser race (if it comes up soft).

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Hmm my friends own monkey will ask them not sure if he was injured last saw him on boxing day!

Hmm brave Inca is bloody good! I may be very wrong but is Detroit city running in the champion hurdle?
confused.gif
 
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