Kauto Star: The fairytale is still on, but there is apprehension too

This piece of mine appears in The Week/The First Post.

Neil Clark: Punters crave a fairytale Gold Cup win for the great Kauto Star – some just pray he'll survive the race

THE CLASH of the Titans is on. Although the final declarations won't be known until later this morning, it seems certain that Kauto Star, Britain's most popular racehorse will, after all, be lining up in Friday's Cheltenham Gold Cup, to renew his rivalry with last year's winner Long Run.

Kauto Star, a dual winner of the Gold Cup and regarded by many judges as the best steeplechaser since the legendary Arkle, was only rated 50-50 to take his place in the field after he took a heavy fall in training two-and-a-half weeks ago. But on Monday, his trainer Paul Nicholls gave the 12-year-old the go-ahead to take part in jump racing's Blue Riband contest after he had excelled in a work-out.

If 'Kauto' prevails in Friday's encounter, then those present will witness one of the most remarkable sporting comebacks of all time.


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