Paul Nicholls is finding it hard to split Long Run and Kauto Star ahead of their mouthwatering clash in the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
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The legendary trainer has enjoyed a remarkable season with Kauto Star and the dual-Gold Cup hero has returned to his peak with victories in the Betfair Chase and William Hill King George VI Chase.
The superstar was chased home by Long Run in both those races, but it was Nicky Henderson’s French import that won the battle when the two faced each other in the 2011 Gold Cup and Nicholls explained: "If Kauto was four years younger, then he would be favourite, but I suppose people think Long Run will be better suited to Cheltenham and he is the champion after all.
"Without a doubt, Kauto is better than last season, and it is difficult to know whether Long Run has improved since last year, so it should bring them closer together.
"Not having Denman in the race will also help, as he would harry and pressurise him at the top of the hill. The quicker they go the better early on, but then it's just a case of getting a breather in, and Kauto never had that chance with Denman up his backside. Last year, he wasn't quite finishing, but if we can get him a bit fitter, he should finish better up the hill.
"He's cantered pretty much every day since the King George; we haven't been too hard on him but now's the time to up a gear. We've got five weeks to really tune him up and got some hard graft to do to get his fitness levels up, along with a bit of schooling."
Looking back on the sensational season he's had so far, Nicholls continued: "It took him a while to get over his races last year. These two races were like he was when he was at his very best. He was so fresh the next day. He's a confidence horse and there's no sign of aging.
"Going into the King George, we thought Long Run would improve for his first run and thought he was the one to beat. But I was astounded at how Kauto had improved and looked before Kempton. I think it's even stevens between them now."
Ladbrokes World Hurdle (Non-runner money back) - Ladbrokes (free £50 bet on the Gold Cup) 3m, Cheltenham Festival, March 2012
1/2 Big Buck’s, 4 Oscar Whisky, 7 Thousand Stars, 10 Mikael D’Haguenet, 12 Bobs Worth, 12 Dynaste, 12 Zaidpour, 12 Voler La Vedette, 12 Quevega, 14 So Young, 20 Carlito Brigante,20 Mourad, 20 Our Father, 25 Poungach, 25 Celestial Halo, 25 Featherbed Lane, 25 Smad Place, 33 Restless Harry, 33 Five Dream, 40 bar (1/4 odds 1,2,3)
