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the extra trip surely wont help given that an easy 3 miles around kempton was his optimum distance and the three weeks argument is a non starter, the opposite approach could just as easily be taken, kauto is eleven, a three week break shouldnt affect his preparations too much while long run is an inexperienced six year old who could have been thrown off by the delay

Nicholls confirmed my thoughts after the race by saying the extra distance of the Gold Cup will suit.

As you say yourself, Kauto is eleven years of age, he's not regressing so much as he is just losing a bit of his speed. He was running on again before the mistake at the second last, probably wasn't going to catch the winner but looked booked for a decent second.

On the point of the three week delay, your argument is not too succinctly made. Like people, horses get fussy as they get older. Kauto's internal clock is set for December 26th, he was trained up for the race of his life and suddenly, he's given a week long break before Nicholls begins to wind it up again with the intense training. We're not suggesting this as a cause for defeat but I think it's quite likely the three week delay is going to cause more inconvience to an older horse than a young one. At least that would seem obvious to me.

Perhaps, perhaps. But really what's the risk? Might finish third/fourth, dent his reputation a bit. Might also win. That's the height of it. Very small chance he might fall too and do harm. But he's a horse, a gelded one, and it's a risk you take every time you put a saddle on one.

Also, I've believed for some time now that the neccessity of good ground to Kauto Star has been under-estimated. As he's got older, this need has been exaggerated. He just does not jump as well when it's slow, at times struggling to leave the ground and getting in close to fences. He'll get it better at Cheltenham and the extra trip will help too.

And finally, I'd wonder what inconvience the three week delay caused? Yes, it was the same for all horses but Long Run is 6, Kauto is 11. As a true champion, at his age, I don't think he'll have appreciated being messed around like he was.

Retirement beckons. No point in flogging the horse around Cheltenham now. Good show from the winner - not sure he's a Gold Cup horse though. Some day for Henderson.

Bit of an over-reaction.

Ground was against Kauto today, read a few quotes around the place that it'd suit him, but he got in close to the 3rd, 4th and 5th and we knew then that he has having trouble jumping out of it.

Wouldn't write him off yet. Proper preparation for the Gold Cup and decent ground should bring out the real Kauto. Of course, his best days are probably behind him. But don't think that's enough reason to retire him. And Nicholls is too game to throw in the towel after that.

My guess is the Gold Cup then the Whitbread Gold Cup, after which I guess they may call it a day.

Immaculate round of hurdling from Binocular, he's so economical when he leaves the ground. Then to turn it on in the straight like he did, equine poetry really.

Mouth-watering the idea of him clashing with Hurricane Fly at Cheltenham.

Two excellent hurdlers but I give Binocular a slight advantage in this department.

And two speed merchants too with a small favour towards Hurricane Fly.

Cannot see anything challenging the two of them at Cheltenham.

Does anyone know the name of the song that was played during the Airticity League review last night?

BBC also played the same song when welcoming the Sports Personalities nominees on stage last Sunday?

i found it,is this the tune
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXnxhsFziYI

No thats not the one I am thinking of, I'm afraid.

The Sports Personality programme is available on RTE player (on the RTE website). Around 15 minutes in, the Airtricity League highlights start and its the song playing in the background then.

ah sorry us brits up north thought you meant the bbc version

The same song, I'm sure, was played when Sue Barker and Gary Lineker were welcoming the contenders on stage at the opening of the BBC's programme.

Does anyone know the name of the song that was played during the Airticity League review last night?

BBC also played the same song when welcoming the Sports Personalities nominees on stage last Sunday?

i found it,is this the tune
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXnxhsFziYI

No thats not the one I am thinking of, I'm afraid.

The Sports Personality programme is available on RTE player (on the RTE website). Around 15 minutes in, the Airtricity League highlights start and its the song playing in the background then.

Just Drive - Alistair Griffin was played during some of sports personality nominees don't know if that's the one your on about.

Cheers but not that one. There's no lyrics in it, think its what you might call an "epic" song.

Does anyone know the name of the song that was played during the Airticity League review last night?

BBC also played the same song when welcoming the Sports Personalities nominees on stage last Sunday?

Not a lot of Irish interest in the Breeders Cup this year with Ballydoyle only sending over a handful. Midday and Goldikova would appear to be the best of the Europeans. I'd be less keen on Workforce - seems to me like he's a pure galloper and it takes him an age to get into top gear. If Moore doesn't get him at it down the back straight, I could see something doing him for boot.

I don't know a lot about the Yanks in the Classic. Quality Road would be dangerous if he got an easy lead in front. Blame would be another for the shortlist. Zenyatta - greatest racehorse ever? Arkle and Flyingbolt would ate her!

Agree about Workforce but he looks a par above everything bar Bekhabad. The more conventional racetrack should swing it a bit more in favour of the French raider though, add in the dream run Workforce had in the Arc, and Bekhabad's luckless one and there's enough there to think he'll turn it around.

All over Red Desire in the Filly and Mare, can't be having Midday!!!

Thought there would be more chat on here about the breeders cup tbh. Zenyattas quest to become the greatest racehorse ever in the breeders cup classic, 19 wins in 19 starts, this will probably be her last race....

Not even in the top 5 racehorses of the last 2 years, never mind best racehorse ever!

Fair play, she's being fairly well placed by Sheriffs, beating her own gender 18 times out of 19, sole race against the colts in last year's in sub-standard Classic. 16/18 on synthetic where quality opposition is thin enough even in that division too.

Think she might get shown up on the dirt tomorrow night in a much stronger field than last year. Track is riding fast and the likes of Haynesfield and Quality Road will be let loose on the lead. If it gets a bit looser on top, might play more in the hands of the stalkers and closers but Zenyatta isn't the only stretch runner here, Blame and Lookin At Lucky can turn it on too. QR for me, broke three track records in his career, and is a real clock-watcher's dream. Never forget the raving of James Willoughby after he won the Florida Derby, was been chalked up as a Secreteriat by a few too! This is his race.

[The greatest flat jockey Ireland has ever had? Certainly in my lifetime anyway.]

The greatest flat jockey Ireland has ever had? Certainly in my lifetime anyway.

I still have a very vague memory of the year he won the Arc on Carroll House. I think it was 1989. Just shows what an exceptional career he had that he rode the winner of the same race twenty years later. He rode big race winners all around the world and he always conducted himself well on and off the track. He'll always be associated with the all those great Coolmore horses like Montjeu, Galileo, High Chapparal, Rock Of Gibraltar, Giants Causeway, Hawk Wing and George Washington. I'll remember him for the great Vintage Crop especially. I'll never forget the scenes on the Curragh when he arrived home after winning the Melbourne Cup for Dermot Weld. Half of Kildare seemed to be there. It was like the reception that would be given to Arkle or Dawn Run.

Thats a bit harsh on your own county native Eddery, although its only a subjective opinion I suppose. Fallon is as talented as both but an out and out rogue.

Enjoy your retirement Mick, hopefully a few more Authorized in the pipeline.

Pat was a class act but Mickey Joe was calmness personified when the chips were down. Its his record in the big international races that would swing it for me. I remember when Go And Go went over to America for the Belmont stakes and became the first ever non-American trained winner of a classic over there. Kinane rode the Yanks to sleep.

King Kieren is a legend but his legacy will always be tainted to a certain extent. You only need to look at the amount of Group 1s Murtagh has one in the last two years to see the extent to which Fallon blew it.

I doubt that 5/6 will be lasting long about Celestial Halo for the weekend given the way Nicholls is talking him up. I might give Medermit a chance looking at how King's are coming on for their first run. Last year's novices were an above average crop IMO. I think Go Native proved that at Newcastle.

Really? I'd say the two mile novices of last year were amongst the worst I've seen (HF apart) for a long time!

Stand to be proven wrong. 

Had a poor day today.

Lost twenty on pipers legend then put 25 on zorro de la vega.
Latter was cruising two out before he ended up on his arse.

Had barton son 3 e/w at 10/1 came third.

I see cheltenham is on this weekend.
Any declarations we need to know about?

The Glenfarcas Cross Country Chase, the Paddy Power Gold Cup, the Connaught Chase and the Greatwood Hurdle entries should all be out. Greatwood always a good betting race.....

Tapeta in Meydan! Synthetic surface, wouldn't say it will differ to much to whats in Dundalk or Santa Anita.

[Comparing either with Sea The Stars is a pointless exercise! He did it all.]

They went a fairly moderate pace last night, 24 1/5 for the first two furlongs is a crawl up the straight! For Zenyatta to come from she did was a rare sight, you'd have expected the horses in front to have kept going but she picked them easy enough. Obviously, the absense of Quality Road lessened her task considerably and the proximity of turf specialist Gio Ponti and Twice Over leaves doubts over the form.

I'd imagine Rachel Alexandra on dirt and Zenyatta on Pro-Ride were the two ever to meet. Comparing either with Sea The Stars is a pointless exercise! He did it all.

Sure half the fun of the game is comparing horses across continents/generations.

Is Rachel Alexandra going to race on as a 4yo? Zenyatta is off to the breeding shed. She should produce a nice National Hunt prospect given the size of her! Pity we'll never see them take each other on.

Yes the Breeders Cup is at Churchill Downs next year I think so the Classic will be on traditional dirt. Perfect for RA! I can't see them ever running her on Pro-Ride after what happened to Curlin in last year's Classic!

They went a fairly moderate pace last night, 24 1/5 for the first two furlongs is a crawl up the straight! For Zenyatta to come from she did was a rare sight, you'd have expected the horses in front to have kept going but she picked them easy enough. Obviously, the absense of Quality Road lessened her task considerably and the proximity of turf specialist Gio Ponti and Twice Over leaves doubts over the form.

I'd imagine Rachel Alexandra on dirt and Zenyatta on Pro-Ride were the two ever to meet. Comparing either with Sea The Stars is a pointless exercise! He did it all.