National Hunt racing certainly retains the romance of real sport where an amateur can take on the sports stars and triumph. Sam Waley-Cohen, a businessman from London, on his father's Long Run saw off his stablemate Riverside Theatre and the great Kauto Star to win the King George at Kempton. This is the only time there will be two King Georges in one Calender year and in the heat of the aftermath not many would bet against Long Run retaining his title on Boxing Day.
The Kempton Park executive were desperate to retain the race so as to allow Kauto Star to win an unmatched five editions of this great race. Sadly it was not to be as the heavyweight boxer was unable to really land a punch on Long Run. He was ridden by AP McCoy, Sports Personality of the Year and winning machine, who did brilliantly to keep the combination in tact when Kauto made a ricket of the second last. Where he used to make errors and get away with them nowadays hinder him. Where to go to next with Kauto Star is a difficult decision. I hope retirement does not beckon as he is still a high class performer but where can he go. Back to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup looks a step too far for the two time winner of that race. He is a superstar but like all superstars time catches up. A celebrity reitrment beckons but I believe he is not ready for a life of opening supermarkets and betting shops yet. He has another big race still in his locker!
Back to the winner which was trained by Nicky Henderson who was saddling his fifth winner on the card he was imperious, but oddly Nicky has a difficult decision to make about this horse's next assignment. He did not go well at Cheltenham last year but will the Master of Seven Barrows be able to resist going to try and win a Gold Cup. The horse has definitely earned a crack at the Blue Ribband and if his jumping holds up he will be close.
Back to Sam Waley-Cohen - he is definitely a talented horseman and horses really run for him. Do not be fooled by his amateur status!!!
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