English steeplechaser Kauto Star added to his legend when the two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup champion showed reports of his decline were premature by winning the Betfair Chase for the fourth time.
The 11-year-old Paul Nicholls-trained gelding put on a remarkable front-running performance and jumped immaculately to put present Cheltenham Gold Cup champion Long Run in his place.
Kauto Star, who had been soundly beaten twice by Long Run last season, returned under Irish rider Ruby Walsh to a rousing reception in the winners enclosure.
“He knows he’s king!” said owner Clive Smith, who had hinted on Friday that a poor run would have prompted him to retire him.
“My heart is thumping now!”
Walsh said the winner, sent out at a generous 6-1 while Long Run was 6-5, was a once-in-a-lifetime horse.
“He is an amazing horse,” he said.
“We were hoping there was one more big day in him. He’s a wonderful horse.”
Nicholls, who leapt up and punched his fist in the air as his star crossed the line, was almost lost for words.
“I’m speechless, it’s an amazing moment,” Nicholls said after Kauto Star collected his 15th Grade One race.
Long Run’s rider Sam Waley-Cohen was gracious in defeat.
“Well all you can say is the three kings came and delivered today – Paul Nicholls, Ruby Walsh and Kauto Star,” the young amateur rider, who rode Long Run to glory in March’s Gold Cup, said.
“But our World Cup and Olympics are still to come in the King George (on December 26 and where he first beat Kauto Star last year) and the Gold Cup next March.”
AFP AAP TURF
