[bowles10]

I finally got to see Kauto Star's race from last sunday & must admit it impressed me the way the horse battled on to only go down 1.5L giving so much weight away. Last year, the horse ran away with this race gallopimg his rivals into the ground. This year you could tell it wasnt as fit as it let the front runners go off & was never able to catch up. The Gold Cup is surely the only aim this season & i hope it will avoid the irish races on the poor ground & concentrate on racing over here defending its King George crown before going onto the Gold cup in March.

Monets garden has to be respected on the flatter tracks like Aintree & it wont be far away at Kempton this time & should be a cracking race. Monets can never win a gold cup though round Cheltenham. That honour could go to Exotic Dancer who is a different horse round there & will put last weeks disappointing run behind him. I still rate ED as a decent EW shout come next March.

Yesterday's Charlie Hall race included some decent types & State of Play just could nt get to the winner whose trainer is just rattling up the winners. Paddy Brennan full deserves this chance with a good trainer & will no doubt have his best season ever. Ollie Magern runs well there & it wasnt a surprise to see him return to form after injuries plagued last season.

Taranis took in the irish race yesterday & done as asked being workmanlike in victory over its rivals. JUmped well & Ruby was determined to see it over the line at the end. Not sure this is a gold cup horse just yet but may still have improvement in him. One to keep on side this season & perhaps needs to be tested in one of the big chases coming up at Cheltenham.