I'm still siding with Kauto at the moment, although I feel there is very little between them. If Kauto fails to shine at Kempton, then I will probably begin to doubt whether he could pull off a third win at Cheltenham.
That said, for all that Kauto has been excellent at Kempton, I actually feel that the extra stamina test of the Gold Cup may suit him more as he gets older. I don't feel that the tight bends of Haydock suit him, for all that his class and courage have seen him home there, and there was a brief moment in last year's King George, down the side of the course second time round, where Ruby had to stoke him up a little. Perhaps I read too much into that, but my point is that I'm no longer of the opinion that the Gold Cup doesn't suit him, as I was this time last year.
Sticky, gluey ground would be a concern, though, as I feel Denman is better equipped to jump out of it.
Still waiting to see the best of last season's novices, but they've got some task ahead of them.
Unlike Harry Findlay, I haven't ruled out Imperial Commander either. He loves Cheltenham and I think he will stay the trip. I was really impressed with him at Haydock.
